Self-portrait with curly hair and white collar: bust 1753 - 1808

Editor: Here we have a print from between 1753 and 1808, “Self-portrait with curly hair and white collar: bust”, attributed to David Deuchar. It’s an etching. It feels very intimate, almost like a casual snapshot. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering Deuchar’s context, we must consider the accessibility and consumption of art in his time. Prints allowed for wider distribution, making art available beyond the elite. This etching process itself — the labour involved, the materials — challenges the preciousness often associated with "high art”. Does it seem to you like it diminishes or enhances the artistic statement? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It seems like the act of creating a print democratizes art in a way, making it more available. So, it elevates the statement, even if some people don't view it the same as a painting. But what does this particular image, a self-portrait, communicate through that medium? Curator: Well, what does it say about artistic labour? Is Deuchar commenting on the role of the artist, producing and distributing his own image, thus controlling his own brand and narrative, in effect? It speaks to the rise of a new kind of artistic autonomy, facilitated by printmaking. Consider the social context - who would buy this, and why? Editor: That makes so much sense. So, the availability and labor becomes the message as much as the actual artistic representation itself. I think understanding the process helps appreciate it beyond just the visual appeal. Curator: Exactly! Seeing the materials and mode of production reveals layers of meaning, prompting us to consider the broader forces at play when looking at art history. What are some other examples we can draw between consumerism and art creation? Editor: I’ll have to think about that more, but you’ve certainly given me a lot to consider with this print. Thanks!