Chaise rustique 1860s

Editor: This is *Chaise rustique*, a photograph taken in the 1860s by Pierre-Louis Pierson, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I find the wicker chair next to the child fascinating—it almost looks like a miniature cathedral. How would you interpret this photograph? Curator: Let’s focus on that chair then, that "rustic seat" of the title. We tend to divorce ‘fine art’ photography from the world of design and material production, but shouldn't we examine them in the same critical light? Consider the labour involved in crafting this piece of furniture – the gathering and weaving of wicker. What social class would commission this? What does the construction of this piece say about the period? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective. I hadn’t considered the social implications of the chair itself, only as a prop. So, are you suggesting the chair's materiality tells a deeper story than just aesthetic preference? Curator: Precisely! Think about it – this wasn't mass-produced like a modern plastic chair. The artisanal process involved in its creation reflects a specific economic and social structure. Even the child's attire can be seen as a product, carefully chosen and produced, indicating a certain level of disposable income, social standing, available labor... How is the value and meaning of this photograph constructed, materially and socially? Editor: That really shifts my understanding. I tend to focus on composition and the subject, but the means of production adds a whole new layer. I didn’t think about it as constructed that way, the same way painters use color palettes, and their assistants prepared the canvas... Curator: Exactly. By questioning the materials and their origins, we uncover a rich tapestry of social relations woven into even seemingly simple objects like a chair. It reminds us to look beyond the surface. Editor: I'll never look at a portrait the same way. I will look more critically at those social implications! Curator: It's a starting point. There’s always more to unpack with an understanding of production and materiality.