Scene from The Merchant of Smyrna 1726 - 1782

Editor: Here we have Peter Cramer’s pencil drawing, "Scene from The Merchant of Smyrna," dating from around 1726 to 1782. It has such a light, fleeting quality, like catching a glimpse of a performance. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The title itself points us towards thinking about trade, but not just in the economic sense. Smyrna, now Izmir, was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. I'm immediately drawn to considering who is represented, and perhaps more importantly, who isn't represented in this "scene." What power dynamics might be at play, even in this seemingly simple sketch? Editor: So, you’re looking beyond just the surface depiction of a scene? Curator: Precisely. Rococo, the style it's labelled as, often depicted lighthearted scenes, but we can't ignore the colonial contexts intertwined with these portrayals. Notice how the figures in the foreground appear more distinctly rendered. Consider how that might relate to the artist’s own positionality and biases, and how this relates to the Western gaze upon "the Orient.” What stories might these less defined figures tell if they had more prominence? Editor: That makes me rethink the way I initially saw the drawing, it gives the sketch a new depth. It's a valuable reminder to question the narratives these images perpetuate and consider those voices that remain unheard. Curator: Exactly, seeing art as more than just aesthetic objects, but as active participants in shaping our understanding of history. Hopefully it’s a way forward towards a more equitable and critically conscious way of viewing art.