Venus Italica, after Canova c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have the "Venus Italica, after Canova" by the Pichler family. It's a small, delicate piece, about an inch and a half across. The craftsmanship is impressive. What strikes you about the piece? Curator: This intaglio’s appeal lies in its reproduction. Canova's original sculpture, a symbol of Italian national identity, is here reduced and multiplied. Think about the materials involved – the original marble versus this small, reproducible form. How does the change in scale and medium affect its perceived value and accessibility? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered before. It makes you think about who had access to art then versus now. Curator: Exactly. The material and its manipulation reveal much about the social context of art production and consumption.