Maurice de Saxe 1745

Editor: This print, "Maurice de Saxe" by Johann Georg Wille, portrays a figure adorned in armor and fur. The details are striking. What can you tell me about the materials and process of its creation? Curator: Well, consider the engraving process itself. The labor involved in meticulously carving the image into the metal plate, the paper used for the print, and the socioeconomic context that allowed for the production and distribution of such a piece. How does that change your understanding? Editor: It makes me think about accessibility and who would have owned this print. It wasn't mass-produced, but still, it's not unique. Curator: Exactly. The choice of materials and the engraving technique speak to a specific level of consumption and status. Something to reflect on, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely. I'll certainly look at prints differently now.