Aquaviva, the Villa of Cardinal Montalto at Ständig 1681

Editor: This engraving, "Aquaviva, the Villa of Cardinal Montalto," by Melchior Küsel, showcases a grand estate. It's fascinating how the artist used such precise lines to depict the opulence. What’s your take on this print? Curator: Consider the physical labor and materials involved in creating this image: the metal plate, the acid etching, the printing press. This wasn't just about depicting wealth; it was about deploying specific technologies and processes to broadcast Cardinal Montalto's power. Editor: So, the image is also about production and consumption? Curator: Precisely. The material object, the print, and its circulation, are as significant as the villa itself. Reflect on the economic and social systems that enabled both the villa's creation and the print's distribution. Editor: That really shifts my perspective. It's less about the aesthetic ideal and more about the systems at play. Curator: Exactly! It changes how we consider the value of the artwork.