The Pre-Arranged Flight c. 1772 - 1773

Editor: This is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Pre-Arranged Flight," location unknown. It's quite a whirlwind of fabric and motion. I’m curious, what's your take on the materials and making of this painting? Curator: Considering Fragonard's context, we see a departure from overt aristocratic portraiture, yet the very materiality speaks volumes. Look at the dress: the exorbitant silk, the time and labor invested in its creation, and who benefited from its production? Editor: So, the materials themselves hint at a complex social structure? Curator: Precisely. The painting becomes a window into understanding the power dynamics embedded in the creation and consumption of such luxury goods. What does the seemingly careless abandon of the woman signify when viewed through this lens? Editor: That's fascinating, I didn't realize how much the material could communicate! Thanks for opening my eyes to that. Curator: My pleasure! It is a vital way to consider art's value.