Genius of Fame c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Claude Donat Jardinier’s "Genius of Fame," currently undated. It's a striking engraving, filled with allegorical figures. What stands out to you in terms of its production? Curator: The printmaking process itself is key. Consider the labor involved in creating this image—the skilled artisan meticulously incising the plate, the paper production, the potential for mass reproduction and dissemination of the image. Editor: So, it’s not just the artistic skill, but the means of production too. Curator: Precisely! The very act of replication democratizes the image, making it accessible beyond elite circles, which profoundly impacts the art world. Editor: I see, it's more about the power and potential that lies in the process of this art. Curator: Absolutely, and how that process reshapes notions of artistic value and ownership.