Procession on Haarlemmerweg c. 17th century

Editor: This is Salomon Savery's "Procession on Haarlemmerweg," an etching that gives me a sense of everyday life in a bygone era. The sheer number of people is striking! How can we interpret this work through its production and social context? Curator: Let's consider the materiality of the etching itself. The labor-intensive process of creating this image, replicating it, and distributing it speaks to a developing print culture. What does the depiction of this procession, and its potential consumption, tell us about social dynamics at the time? Editor: So, the accessibility of prints allowed for wider distribution and consumption of imagery, which could influence public perception? Curator: Precisely. Consider how Savery's choice of subject – a procession – aligns with the social function of these prints: circulating narratives and potentially shaping collective memory. Editor: That makes me think about how art production intertwines with economic and social structures. Thank you. Curator: Indeed, it’s a lens for viewing labor, materiality, and the very fabric of society.