William Wetmore Bookplate 

Curator: Paul Revere, best known for his midnight ride, also created this intricate bookplate for William Wetmore. The piece employs engraving and ink to craft a design featuring heraldic elements. Editor: It strikes me as remarkably serene. The flowing lines of the flora soften the geometry, giving it an unexpectedly gentle quality for something so graphically sharp. Curator: It is compelling. Look at the means of its production; engraving requires immense skill, not just as an artisan but an understanding of the printing process itself. Consider Revere’s diverse background, as silversmith, engraver, and later, manufacturer. It highlights blurred boundaries. Editor: Precisely. I am immediately drawn to how these traditional symbols intertwine with aspirations of colonial identity. Heraldry isn't just decorative; it speaks to power structures, claims of lineage, and Wetmore's, Revere's position within that framework. Who was Wetmore and what kind of statement was Revere helping him to create through it? Curator: Well, Wetmore's book collection signified wealth. And Revere made many bookplates for other elites. The choice of materials, engraving rather than a quicker method of illustration, signals high value for consumption and social status, as does its exquisite labor. The flowers themselves signify status with consumption being a demonstration of power through elite ownership. Editor: Absolutely. Consider the symbolism: The birds depicted, the motto *Tentanda Via Est* “the way must be tried.” One must imagine, in light of later events, it could stand as a quiet defiance against established norms in a rapidly evolving colonial environment, Wetmore and Revere signaling a path, albeit perhaps initially through knowledge and refined taste. Curator: Yes, but Revere created many prints – often more explicit in their messaging, like the Boston Massacre. Here, with its precise engraving, flora, and heraldic elements, he's functioning primarily as a skilled craftsperson catering to elite demands, showcasing artistry and access to expertise, solidifying his market position. Editor: True, but even that positioning can be an act. By imbuing Wetmore's commission with subtle aspirations embedded in accessible symbolism, Revere participates in constructing this new colonial identity... one print at a time. Curator: An excellent observation! This piece pushes us to look at both the product itself and the social context from which is born and that both Revere and Wetmore inhabit. Editor: Precisely, allowing us to appreciate how art can simultaneously perform aesthetic and political work.