Embleem: boshout 1722

Editor: This is "Embleem: boshout," an engraving by Jan Goeree from 1722. It’s filled with playful figures and detailed architectural elements. The precision of the lines is impressive. What do you make of this engraving, especially considering the period in which it was created? Curator: The engraving allows us to consider the socio-economic factors at play in the Dutch Republic at that time. Notice how the meticulous rendering elevates the ordinary into a realm of allegory, a reflection of the value placed on skilled labor and detailed craft? Editor: Absolutely. The cherubs seem almost frivolous on top, contrasting with the controlled setting below. Curator: Exactly. Now, think about the paper itself, its production and distribution in 1722. The engraving could have been for an emblem book. What do these suggest about the audiences, uses, and functions of printed materials? Editor: That is an interesting point! The use of high quality materials would certainly indicate an audience of means and education. Curator: Precisely. Also, consider how the repetitive nature of printmaking—creating multiples through labor—challenges the singular aura we often associate with 'art'. Goeree wasn't just an artist but also a craftsman and a small business owner. Editor: So, the "art" becomes less about individual genius and more about a mode of production that allows art and knowledge to be accessible, that is so interesting! Thanks, this has really opened up a new perspective for me. Curator: The layering of skilled manual production onto natural resources brings a social dimension to the emblem beyond any aesthetic judgement.