Klassieke fontein 1636 - 1647

Editor: So this is "Klassieke fontein" by Reinier van Persijn, made sometime between 1636 and 1647. It’s an engraving, and it seems to be a design for a fountain. It reminds me a bit of architectural blueprints. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I am immediately drawn to the means of production. As an engraving, this design wasn’t just an artistic exercise; it was likely meant for wider circulation, possibly as a guide for craftsmen or a demonstration of current fashion. Note the paper too. This toned paper signals a specific type of consumption, possibly within a burgeoning market for architectural designs. What can the fountain's physical design, combined with printmaking process tell us? Editor: Well, it seems to point to the status of fountains at the time? Was it about making art accessible through mass production? Curator: Partially, but consider the material conditions further. The print allows us to explore labor relations inherent in 17th-century artistic production. It was probably designed within a workshop. Look closely – what level of skill do you think was necessary for making the original fountain? Did the printmaking democratize its appeal, bringing refined art and craftsmanship into the everyday lives, maybe the gardens of the merchant class? Editor: I guess it shows how art wasn’t just for the elite anymore but also linked to craft and design. Now I’m curious, what kinds of gardens featured fountains like that? Curator: Exactly. Considering the interplay between material, labor, and design allows us to appreciate art beyond aesthetic values. It emphasizes how making something shapes consumption. Editor: Definitely. Thinking about it this way changes how I understand its value entirely!