Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page 4v) 1604

Editor: This is “Newes Modelbuch in Kupffer (Page 4v)” by Johann Sibmacher, from 1604. It looks like an engraving, maybe a page from a book? It’s giving me a sense of…claustrophobia, almost, with the dense text and elaborate borders. What do you see in it? Curator: This print presents a rich opportunity to examine the interplay between craft, text, and social roles in the early 17th century. The very act of producing such a detailed engraving involves significant labor, doesn't it? What do you make of the use of typography here, and the decorative borders surrounding the text? Editor: Well, the typography is functional, it delivers the text, but the borders are more decorative. They seem like a way to elevate the content, to frame it almost. Curator: Precisely. This elevates the ‘Modelbuch’ beyond simple utility. But what if the very act of carefully crafting such embellishments for a manual, a ‘model book’, challenged the divide between functional craft and 'high art'? Think of the skills involved in both the lettering and the decoration - and how that speaks to social stratification. How does understanding the process of making, and who likely created it, shift your initial impression of claustrophobia? Editor: That's interesting. Thinking about the labor involved, especially if it was a collaborative effort between skilled artisans, changes my perspective. The "claustrophobia" now feels more like "intentional density," maybe reflecting a desire to showcase skill and value. Curator: Exactly! By exploring its production and intended consumption, we reveal a world where art wasn’t solely about aesthetic appreciation. Editor: This reminds me to always question what seems self-evident. I mean, I would never have thought about the labour involved at first glance. Curator: That's the point. We excavate those social dynamics. The materiality of art is not separate from it’s meaning.