Rover krijgt geld aangeboden 1778 - 1785

Editor: This engraving, "Rover krijgt geld aangeboden" or “Rover is offered money,” made by Noach van der (II) Meer sometime between 1778 and 1785, presents a rather stark scene. I’m curious about its purpose as it feels more like a political cartoon or societal critique than a typical artwork. What can you tell me about it? Curator: As a materialist, I see this engraving as a window into the socioeconomic landscape of its time. The work itself—the print, the paper, the ink, and the very act of engraving—speak to a growing print culture and its power in disseminating ideas. The "generous robber" is engaging in some sort of transaction: what might that signify about contemporary attitudes towards wealth and poverty, or class tensions? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t thought about the print as a means of distribution itself contributing to the commentary. So, beyond just the figures depicted, you're suggesting the *way* the message is delivered is crucial. But what specifically about the material components interests you? Is it the relatively accessible and mass-producible nature of engravings, perhaps suggesting that commentary of social issues could be easily distributed at the time? Curator: Precisely. Engravings, as opposed to paintings, for example, allowed for relatively inexpensive replication. How might the availability of these prints influence public discourse about morality or crime? Also, the artist's labor matters. What conditions would enable someone like Meer to create, produce and circulate such a critical piece? Does this print serve a patron, and if so how is the cultural work being supported by whom, and for what means? These are all relevant materialist questions. Editor: That does reframe my perception of the piece, and the period! So much can be said about something as seemingly straightforward as an engraving when thinking about its material and production circumstances. Curator: Exactly. Examining art through the lens of its material reality allows us to challenge notions of artistic genius. It lets us unpack art’s inherent relationship with labor and social structures and that knowledge gives you the best understanding.