Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Gotthard Müller's print of Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre, engraved in 1776. It’s striking how much detail Müller achieves. What’s your take on this work? Curator: The labor is evident, isn't it? The meticulous engraving process, the artist's skill transforming metal into an image for mass consumption... It challenges the notion of singular artistic genius. Editor: How so? Curator: Well, consider the social context: prints made art more accessible, spreading Pierre's image widely. It's not just about Pierre's artistry, but Müller's craft and the culture of reproduction. What do you think? Editor: That makes me see it differently—not just as a portrait, but as a commodity, a product of its time. Curator: Exactly!