Moonlight c. 19th century

Editor: James Davis' "Moonlight" presents a really intriguing scene; a fortress perched high above the water. What strikes me is the process needed to even depict this! What are your thoughts? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the materials involved. Davis, who died so young, likely used readily available etching techniques. The paper itself, the ink—these were commodities, reflecting the burgeoning print market. How does the scene connect to its production? Editor: That is not what I was expecting, but that makes me think... How might its accessibility influence who got to see it and where? Curator: Exactly! This print wasn't just art; it was a product of its time, shaped by labor, material availability, and consumption patterns. Thinking about that gives us a much richer understanding. Editor: I hadn’t considered it that way before, but I find that fascinating. Curator: Indeed, it's the materiality that roots it in a tangible history.