Pope Leo X c. 19th century

Editor: This is Samuele Jesi's "Pope Leo X," currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. The etching's details feel so intricate, especially the textures of their robes. What's your perspective on this work? Curator: I see an exploration of power through the lens of production. The meticulous etching process, the labor involved in replicating the textures of luxury fabrics - all point to the construction of papal authority through material means and its dissemination through printed images. Editor: That’s interesting. So you’re saying that the act of reproducing the image itself reinforces power? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context. Who had access to this image? What was the intended audience, and what material desires did it evoke? These questions illuminate how power operates through representation and consumption. Editor: That makes me think about the role of the artist as a craftsman. It’s much more than just a portrait, isn’t it? Curator: Indeed. It's about the social relations embedded in the production and circulation of this image. Editor: Thanks. I never thought about it that way. I’ll be sure to research this further.