Galeriae Farnesianae: Caphalus and Aurora c. 17th century

Editor: This is Pietro Aquila's "Galeriae Farnesianae: Caphalus and Aurora," from around 1700, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's an engraving depicting a classical scene. The detail is amazing. What strikes you most about this print? Curator: I'm drawn to the labor involved in creating this image, from the sourcing of the metal plate to the meticulous engraving. Consider the social context: prints like these made grand art accessible to a wider audience. How does this accessibility influence its artistic value in your opinion? Editor: That's a really interesting point! It democratizes art, but maybe also cheapens the original artistic vision? Curator: Exactly! It highlights the tension between artistic creation and mass production. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It’s fascinating how the means of production changes the reception of the artwork. Curator: Indeed, it opens a wider field of inquiry.