Rotterdam, gezien vanaf de Maas 1780 - 1787

Editor: So, this print, "Rotterdam, gezien vanaf de Maas," made between 1780 and 1787 by Mathias de Sallieth. It's currently at the Rijksmuseum, and it gives a detailed view of the port with all its activity. It really strikes me as a document of commerce as much as a work of art. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, from a materialist perspective, I’m drawn to the engraving process itself. Consider the labour involved in producing such a detailed image, the artisanal skill in translating a bustling cityscape onto a copper plate, then printed in multiples for wider consumption. Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't thought about it that way. Curator: The choice of printmaking as a medium speaks volumes. It allows for reproduction and distribution, making the image accessible to a wider audience, essentially turning the depiction of Rotterdam into a commodity itself. Also note how the different classes would experience and access these prints. Was this mainly a luxury item? Or were cheaper versions created that were accessible to all social classes? Editor: I see what you mean. The print isn't just a picture; it’s part of a whole system of production and consumption. Does that connection to the economy of the time influence how we see the artwork? Curator: Absolutely. By analyzing the materials and the mode of production, we uncover the social context surrounding the creation and reception of the work. This print provides insight into the economic activities that define Rotterdam's identity as a port city. Think of the engraver too - what kind of economic incentives would motivate him to undertake a huge task like this one? Editor: That's a much more complete picture than I had before! I appreciate you sharing that viewpoint; it is all too easy to separate art from life and labor. Curator: And looking at it together makes it all the richer.