Winter c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Jean Audran's "Winter," a large engraving. The scene feels quite classical, but I'm struck by how the materiality of winter—the cold, the need for fire—is made so apparent. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This engraving, "Winter," reproduces a painting, and as a print, it was meant for wide circulation. The labor involved in its creation, from the artist's concept to Audran's meticulous engraving, transforms the season into a commodity. Consider who consumed these images and how that reflects social status. Editor: That's a great point! So, the print itself becomes a material representation of winter, divorced from the actual experience, yet shaped by labor. Curator: Precisely. And it’s a commentary on the systems that allow for that representation.