Stag-hunting c. 18th century

Curator: This is Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s “Stag-hunting.” Editor: Oh, it’s got a spooky, fairy-tale quality, doesn't it? Like a memory of a chase, all in sepia tones. Curator: Yes, the printmaking process itself is fascinating. Van Amstel wasn’t just replicating the image; he was deeply involved in the entire production, crafting the paper and inks. Editor: That's interesting, knowing the artist was so hands-on with every aspect. You feel that materiality in the final piece, don't you? It goes beyond just the image of a hunt—it’s about the act of making. Curator: Exactly. And you see the labor and the skill embedded in the print; it's a kind of ghostly reenactment, a trace of effort. Editor: It does make you think about the layers involved: the labor, the paper, the ink, the hunt itself… quite a material web indeed. Curator: Thinking about all that craftsmanship makes me appreciate the depth of the process. Editor: Agreed. Seeing the effort behind it makes the work all the more meaningful.