Préault's Parias c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Célestin Nanteuil's "Préault's Parias," of indeterminate date, but held at the Harvard Art Museums. I notice the figures seem to be emerging from the very stone they're sitting on. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Well, let's consider the lithographic process itself. Nanteuil, by choosing this medium, engages with mass production. How does that impact the reception of a sculpture that was rejected? Is Nanteuil critiquing the jury's values by reproducing it for wider consumption? Editor: So, the medium becomes a tool of social commentary? Curator: Precisely. It questions the boundaries of artistic value and public access. Editor: I see how it turns the artwork's rejection into a statement about artistic gatekeeping. Curator: Exactly, it prompts us to consider who decides what art is worth celebrating.