Harbour c. 18th century

Editor: This is James Smith’s “Harbour,” from the late 17th or 18th century. It’s an etching of a harbor scene. It feels almost like a staged set. What is your perspective on this print? Curator: Considering Smith made this print after an original drawing by John Pilliment, I wonder about the labour division. Was Smith simply reproducing Pilliment's vision, or did the etching process itself contribute something new through Smith's labor and skill? Editor: That's interesting. Did Smith's technical skill influence the final output? Curator: Precisely! How does the reproducibility of printmaking change our understanding of artistic value in comparison to a unique drawing? Does it democratize art or cheapen it? Editor: It makes you think about how much work goes into each print and its impact. Curator: Absolutely. It shifts the focus from the individual genius to a more collaborative and material-driven understanding of art production.