Magisch vierkant van Ben Franklin en voor- en achterzijde van een munt met het portret van Severus Alexander 1768

This anonymous print features a magic square attributed to Benjamin Franklin, alongside images of a coin depicting Severus Alexander. The process used to create this was likely etching or engraving, techniques that allow for precise lines. The material quality of the print itself influences our perception. The paper's surface shows the detail of the lines, giving a tactile presence to the intellectual exercise of the magic square, and the imperial authority of the coin. Consider the labor involved, from the skilled artisan creating the matrix, to the press operator who made the print. These traditional printmaking methods, while not ‘high-tech,’ involved specialized knowledge, and a certain level of physical work. This piece invites us to consider how knowledge, skill, and labor intersect. Even in a seemingly abstract design, like the magic square, the hand is present. Ultimately, by attending to the materials and making of this print, we can appreciate its full cultural resonance, beyond the traditional boundaries of mathematics, politics, and art.