La Mettrie c. 18th century

Curator: Editor: This is Georg Friedrich Schmidt’s portrait of La Mettrie. I’m struck by the contrast between the apparent spontaneity of the image and the clear labor invested in the printmaking process. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, I immediately consider the economics of portraiture at this time. Schmidt, as a printmaker, was essentially engaged in a form of mechanical reproduction. This challenges the notion of the unique art object, doesn't it? And what about La Mettrie's own profession and social standing? Editor: It does! It makes me think about the accessibility of images and how this portrait, through printmaking, could reach a wider audience. The means of production really shaped its reception, didn't it? Thanks, this was really insightful. Curator: Indeed, the interplay of labor, material, and social context is key to understanding its significance.