Medal and Seal Engraving 1767

Curator: This print, "Medal and Seal Engraving" by A. J. de Fehrt, presents a fascinating look at the tools and techniques of seal engraving. I'm immediately drawn to how it highlights not just the artistry, but the labor involved. Editor: It’s interesting to see the engravers in the top panel alongside the tools. What does this kind of imagery tell us about the role of artisans in society at the time? Curator: It prompts us to consider how labor and craft were valued, especially within the context of power structures. Seal engravings were often used to authenticate documents and signify authority. How do we view the relationship between craft, labor, and social power today? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. It's more than just technique; it's about the social and political meaning imbued in these objects. Curator: Exactly. Thinking critically about these connections is key to understanding the work.