Narcissen 1683 - 1733

Curator: Here we have Bernard Picart's "Narcissen," an etching, dating probably from between 1683 and 1733, here in the Rijksmuseum's collection. Editor: Oh, how lovely! It reminds me of quiet mornings in my grandmother's garden. It has this beautifully simple, almost understated feel. The lines create such delicate shapes and the light is gorgeous! Curator: I find it interesting to consider how an etching like this reflects artistic labor in the 18th century. The creation involves the skilled use of acids to etch lines into the metal plate, then careful inking and printing. Each step would have its own demands on time and materials. Editor: Right, you can almost feel Picart’s hand carefully guiding the tool to make each petal curve just so! But I can almost smell the sweetness and see the sunlight bouncing off of them, can’t you? It just makes me think of spring, full of new starts, or a lover hiding one single bloom behind their back! Curator: Considering its creation and consumption, the proliferation of these etchings points towards new modes of access for art. Not quite mass produced, but definitely broadening the scope for enjoyment. I’d be curious to explore who precisely would have purchased an image like this, what was their socioeconomic standing and intended uses. Editor: Ah, yes, access, availability and consumption… Well, maybe they simply sought something lovely for their drawing rooms! Not everything must have a material imperative! It's a charming depiction of narcissus. Curator: True enough, but the existence of “Narcissen” and it's circulation raises questions of production, labor, access, and what and how value might be defined in artmaking and beyond it. Editor: Indeed. Looking closer makes one ponder the story these humble, beautiful flowers might suggest. Thanks, Bernard! Curator: Yes, a humble, delicate lens on Baroque consumption and artistry!