Moord op Godfried de Noorman, 885 1747 - 1799

Editor: This engraving, "Moord op Godfried de Noorman, 885," which translates to "Murder of Godfried the Norman, 885," was made anonymously sometime between 1747 and 1799. It depicts a rather brutal scene! What stands out to you about the image? Curator: As a materialist, what grabs my attention is the labor embedded in this print. Consider the etcher and engraver meticulously translating narrative into reproducible image. We are far removed from unique high art here. This process relies on a specific division of labor, the use of metal plates, acid, and printing presses. The proliferation of such images meant a broader accessibility of historical narratives, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely! So, by focusing on the means of production, we're essentially challenging the idea of art being this solely unique and precious object. Are you also suggesting that it served a social function, distributing these narratives? Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, this seemingly historical print partakes in a later material culture; it was made several centuries after the event. The act of engraving historical narratives itself can be seen as a form of cultural production and even a consumption of a historical narrative. Did the print's affordability impact perceptions about historical events for ordinary people? Editor: That’s such a useful perspective. It shifts our attention from simply what is depicted, the assassination itself, to how the information about that event was circulated, understood, and even consumed by the masses. Curator: Right! The relatively low cost would facilitate popular understanding and potential shaping of narratives. The act of making such art, focused in its materiality, opens conversations regarding its function. This wasn't merely an illustration; it was a produced commodity with ideological implications. Editor: I hadn't considered that before, thinking of it as commodity in addition to art. I definitely have a new perspective. Thanks for showing me the work through this different lens! Curator: My pleasure! It’s the materiality that brings these critical insights to light.