Portret van Louis Goupy 1690 - 1732

Editor: This engraving, "Portret van Louis Goupy," created sometime between 1690 and 1732 by George White, has an intriguing texture. The cross-hatching gives it such depth! How would you approach interpreting this work? Curator: I'm particularly interested in the engraving process itself. Consider the labor involved: the precise cuts into the metal plate, the multiple states the print may have gone through. The social context of printmaking at the time is relevant. Who was commissioning these portraits, and how did prints like this one serve the artist, George White? Was it purely reproductive, or did the act of engraving itself impart artistic value? Editor: That’s a good point. I was focused on the portrait, but the production is interesting. Did engraving carry its own prestige at that time? Curator: Indeed. Engraving wasn’t simply a mechanical reproduction. It involved skill, artistry, and a deep understanding of light and shadow, and played a huge part in distributing imagery and information at a specific time. But also, think about who Goupy was and why his portrait was desirable, considering his position, class, or connection to the arts? Who would collect his portrait? What were they hoping to get from this image of him? Editor: I see. Thinking about the materials and production opens up many questions about its place in society back then, not just the visual aspects. Curator: Exactly. Examining the material reality of the artwork and its consumption leads to richer interpretations than simply focusing on aesthetics. Editor: Thank you, I never really thought about it from that perspective before! Curator: My pleasure, and don't forget that even the type of paper, the ink, the distribution networks - they all tell a story!