Titelpagina voor La Coquette, in Le Théâtre Italien de Gherardi, Parijs 1700 1694 - 1700

Editor: This is the title page for "La Coquette" from "Le Théâtre Italien de Gherardi, Paris 1700," made between 1694 and 1700 by Franz Ertinger. It’s an engraving, with a classical theatrical scene. What do you see as most significant about this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I immediately notice the printmaking process. Engraving allowed for the mass production of imagery, influencing and reflecting social attitudes. How does the *means* of reproducing this image—a relatively inexpensive print—shape the consumption and understanding of theatre amongst different social classes in the late 17th century? Editor: So, the very process made theater more accessible? Curator: Precisely. This wasn't just about high art; it's about the labor involved in its production, and the impact it had on making performance accessible. We also have to look at what's *in* the scene. The staged setting, classical references...What does it suggest about theatrical conventions? Does it represent, challenge or simply repackage familiar themes for a growing audience? Editor: I hadn't considered that this print itself has labor, social context and consumption. I see how looking at materiality gives us a wider insight into that world and its influence. Curator: Indeed, it’s about unraveling the narrative behind *how* it was made. Examining the art with its materials tells a deeper story about its reception, and how it was assimilated in a social context.