Plate XVII 18th-19th century

Editor: This is "Plate XVII" by Jacques-Francois-Joseph Swebach at the Harvard Art Museums. It seems to be an etching or engraving, depicting a horse-drawn cart. What can you tell me about this print? Curator: Considering Swebach's body of work, this piece seems to depict labor and social hierarchy. Note the sharp contrast between the well-dressed rider and the figures attending the cart. How does the material—the print itself—affect your perception of this scene? Editor: It feels like a mass-produced image, not a unique work of art. So, it was created to circulate? Curator: Exactly. The print medium allowed for wider distribution and, therefore, potentially broader social commentary on labor and class. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s interesting to think about how the process of making art influences its meaning.