Goldsmiths' Works 1771

Curator: This print, titled "Goldsmiths' Works," is by Robert Bénard and is housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts various objects in a detailed, almost diagrammatic style. Editor: Wow, it feels like looking at a blueprint for a fancy church! All that intricate detail... gives me the shivers in a good way, like a gothic fairy tale. Curator: Consider the era and the function. These weren't just pretty objects; they were symbols of power, wealth, and religious authority. This print would have circulated among artisans and patrons as a source of inspiration. Editor: Right, like a design catalog for the 17th century. That ornate cross wrapped with a snake is deliciously twisted. But look at that tiny, unassuming bowl in the middle... it feels almost out of place. Curator: Perhaps it highlights the range of skills a goldsmith needed, from grand religious icons to everyday objects. This imagery speaks volumes about the socio-economic structures of the time. Editor: I guess even the fanciest folks needed a place to put their trinkets. Still, I'm drawn to the drama, the sheer theatricality of those larger pieces. Bénard really knew how to sell a dream. Curator: Indeed. It gives us a glimpse into the visual culture and material aspirations of a bygone era. Editor: Absolutely. Makes you wonder what treasures these designs eventually became.