Emperor Sigismond preceeded by the Victors 1675

Editor: This is "Emperor Sigismond preceeded by the Victors," a print by Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella. It has such a dynamic feel, with all those figures in motion. What do you make of this piece? Curator: It's interesting to consider the labor embedded in its production. The process of engraving, the tools used, the social context of printmaking at the time—all contribute to its meaning. Was this intended for mass consumption, or a more elite audience? Editor: That's a really good point. So the value isn't just in the image itself, but in how it was made and who it was for? Curator: Precisely! We should ask how it's function as an item of trade is inseparable from its message. The materials, the labor, the intended audience—these all inform our understanding. Editor: I'll definitely look at prints differently now, considering the whole picture of how they were produced and circulated.