Study for ‘Solomon’s Ship’ in The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library 

Curator: Here we have Edwin Austin Abbey’s pastel drawing, a "Study for ‘Solomon’s Ship’" which was preparatory work for his mural series "The Quest of the Holy Grail" at the Boston Public Library. What do you make of it? Editor: It strikes me as a scene fraught with peril. The figures seem almost spectral, overwhelmed by the turbulent sea, the red color adding to that mood. There's a strong diagonal movement. Curator: The composition certainly draws your eye across the rough water, which feels hastily rendered using broad pastel strokes. We see the underdrawing, the means by which Abbey blocked out this segment of a much larger work, revealing the labor behind the grand mural project. Editor: Precisely, notice how Abbey employs a limited palette to define form, particularly in the drapery of the figures. That red contrasts starkly against the cool blues of the water, which suggests, perhaps, the sacrifice needed on this spiritual journey. Curator: Indeed. The context of the larger mural project matters here. This wasn't just about aesthetic pleasure; it was about communicating a complex narrative to a broad public, embedded within a civic institution, which, funded as it was by a public engaged with industrial advancements and mass manufacture, suggests the possibilities inherent in artistic craftsmanship within the larger structures of urban life. Editor: Speaking purely in formal terms, the ambiguity of the figures themselves creates a sense of mystery that adds weight to the scene, though this is an aesthetic choice that can draw our attention to more semiotic meaning as it pushes viewers to question whether they’re meant to know the characters or to emphasize universal concepts about the nature of seeking or purpose, faith and dedication. Curator: Well said. To truly grasp its significance, consider also the broader Arts and Crafts context of Abbey's other drawings. These pastels are integral to a larger social mission, challenging the very distinction between high art and what were, perhaps problematically, seen as artisanal modes of making. Editor: Looking closely, I noticed how the textures created by the pastels gives the drawing an interesting tactile quality. Curator: It gives you insight into a labor intensive process in a specific environment. Editor: Very well, seeing this today made me understand this artwork. I really like the mood! Curator: It's precisely that interweaving of material and cultural context that enhances our experience.