Archtop Guitar 1917

This archtop guitar was made by the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company. The colors here are a kind of gradient, going from the light shades at the center of the body, out to the darker edges – like a sunset in wood form. Think about the layers and the craftsmanship here. The guitar body is so smooth and shaped so carefully, it's like a sculpture as much as an instrument. The wood grain is visible, but it is covered by a shiny, polished surface. The way the light bounces off the body of the guitar gives it an almost liquid, ethereal quality. The texture and warmth of the wood, combined with its elegant shape is what sets this apart. This piece resonates with the work of luthiers across time who are constantly innovating, like Leo Fender, who wanted to mass produce guitars on a previously unimaginable scale. There’s so much to see here – it’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation.