Maria van Hongarije, landvoogdes der Nederlanden 1552

Editor: Here we have a Dutch Golden Age carving from 1552. It depicts Maria van Hongarije, landvoogdes der Nederlanden, and is crafted from metal. It's really interesting how much detail they managed to achieve at such a small scale. How would you interpret this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I'm immediately drawn to the bronze. Its materiality speaks volumes about production and consumption of commemorative objects for political propaganda, since metal production and dissemination was itself a political and economic operation. Considering its size and presumed replication, do you think this was high art or more like craft used to communicate an idea on a wider social scale? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the "craft" aspect of it, it really challenges my perception. Given the subject is a leader, it’s probable these carvings circulated to display her image and influence, to ensure everyone ‘had’ access. So is this a democratization of art? Curator: It is… but we must also acknowledge its simultaneous control. These weren’t randomly distributed gifts, but likely presented under controlled circumstances, creating and maintaining social hierarchies, also acting as literal metal currency in some transactions. Does this understanding shift your initial perception? Editor: Definitely! Seeing it as part of a political and economic machine changes my understanding of the carving and art’s societal role as a commodity. So how can this type of approach of seeing art pieces, inform or shed light, on similar creations in the future? Curator: By emphasizing the conditions and methods of the artifact’s production alongside the art historical or political meanings and artistic expression of their form, we invite conversation about value that encompasses art and economics. We need to investigate labor, access and availability to understand culture more completely. Editor: Thanks, it certainly gave me an entirely different perspective and appreciation for such craft and the implications from such a materialist point of view. Curator: Absolutely, understanding production can radically alter what we think we know.