Ugolino c. 19th century

Editor: This is Abraham Raimbach's "Ugolino." I'm immediately struck by the darkness and despair in this scene. It looks like an etching or engraving, and I'm curious about the artist's choice of materials to convey such raw emotion. What do you see in this piece, considering its production? Curator: This print allows us to consider the economics of image making. Raimbach was a very successful commercial printmaker. How does the mass production and consumption of images affect their perceived value and emotional impact? Is this a luxury item or a widely distributed commodity? Editor: So, the medium itself influences our experience? Curator: Precisely. The means of production shapes its cultural significance. It makes me wonder about the role of printmaking in disseminating narratives of suffering and its accessibility to different social classes. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered before. Thanks!