Gallery Edition – His boasted magnetism and the kind of metal it attracts by Bernhard Gillam – 69×44 Interior Architectural Study

Curatorial Narrative In the midst of the Victorian era’s opulent excesses, Bernhard Gillam’s “His boasted magnetism and the kind of metal it attracts” (1884) presents a scathing commentary on the social hierarchies of its time. This still life, masquerading as a political cartoon, employs fine brushwork to craft an intricate web of symbolism, where metallic objects are suspended in a delicate balance of power dynamics. The palette, characterized by rich reds, blues, greens, and browns, evokes the ornate decoration of Gothic Revival architecture, while simultaneously conjuring the sense of foreboding that often accompanied the era’s grandiose ambitions.When enlarged to 69×44 inches, this work’s chromatic structure assumes a spatial rhythm that harmonizes with the luxurious materials and textures found in high-end interior design. The atmospheric weight of Gillam’s palette, now amplified, imbues the surrounding environment with a sen