Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Pintor 18th-19th century

Editor: This is a print entitled "Francisco Goya y Lucientes, Pintor" by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes. The etching looks like a self-portrait, maybe? What can you tell me about how Goya made this? Curator: Consider the materiality of the etching process. The copper plate, the acids used to bite the image, and the labor involved in its production, all contribute to the final product. How does the relative ease of producing prints, as opposed to painting, impact the audience for Goya's art? Editor: That's an interesting point. So, the shift in the means of production changed who could experience his work? Curator: Precisely. Printmaking democratized art consumption. It allowed for broader dissemination of Goya’s imagery and ideas, beyond the elite circles who could commission or view his paintings. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind.