New Year's Greetings From the Merrymount Press 1926 - 1937

Editor: This is Rudolph Ruzicka's "New Year's Greetings From the Merrymount Press." The brown ink gives it an old-fashioned feel. What can you tell me about this print? Curator: Look closely at the sharp lines. This is likely a wood engraving, a labor-intensive process. Notice how the urban scene depicts both the church and modern buildings, reflecting a transition in production and values. Think about the relationship between the artisan, the press, and the emerging consumer culture. What was the intended audience for this New Year's greeting? Editor: So, it's not just the image but the whole system of production that matters? Curator: Exactly! The print becomes a commodity, embedded in social and economic networks. This helps us understand how art operates within a larger material world.