The Easel

30th June 2020

Cosmopolitan Craftsman

New silver mines in mid-19th century America made silver affordable to the middle class. Tiffany, then a fledgling, was transformed by the opportunity. Its “genius” designer Edward Moore drew inspiration from ancient works and, notably, Japanese lacquerware and metalwork. His works displayed “phenomenal artistry” and defined a design aesthetic that made Tiffany a powerhouse in the decorative arts.

23rd June 2020

Statue wars

The Confederacy statue debate has gone global. Retaining these symbols is variously defended in terms of protecting free speech or being truthful about history. True enough for some statues, but not all. A good many celebrate white supremacist values. So, which should come down? Slave traders? The slave-owning George Washington? History abounds with imperfect characters. Expect more debate.

When Crime Photography Started to See Colour

Park’s lofty reputation grew out of his assignments in the American south for Life magazine. Around the same time, he completed an assignment on urban crime, accompanying police in their day to day tasks. The images were a revelation. Not only were they in colour, “cinematic, intense, and exquisitely composed”, they also conveyed empathy and nuance. More images are here.