Musical Family c. 18th century

Editor: This is Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich’s "Musical Family," made around 1756. It appears to be an etching, with a real sense of everyday life. What stands out to you when you look at this print? Curator: I'm interested in the labor evident in the printmaking process itself, the techniques Dietrich employs to depict this scene. Think about the physical act of etching the plate and its implications. Editor: How so? Curator: The very act of reproducing music here – consider the cost of this image and how it was distributed. Was it meant for the consumption of the wealthy, or did this method democratize art making? Editor: That's a great point. I never considered the consumption aspect of reproducible art. Curator: Exactly! By considering the means of production, we can learn so much more about the intended audience and the value placed on both art and music.