Sun Rising 1771

Editor: Here we have Pierre Charles Canot's "Sun Rising," an undated engraving. It's quite striking how the image is framed within an oval. What do you see in this piece regarding the materials used to create it? Curator: Considering Canot’s engraving, I’m drawn to the labor involved in its production. Think about the copper plate, the tools needed, the precise hand movements to create those lines. How does this meticulous process inform our understanding of 18th-century printmaking and its role in disseminating images? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the sheer amount of labor and skill involved. Curator: Indeed. And where might this image be consumed and by whom? Understanding its materiality leads us to consider its social and economic context. Editor: I see. Looking at it now, it really makes me appreciate the craft and its place in history. Curator: Exactly. It challenges the notion of art as purely aesthetic, highlighting its deep connection to production and consumption.