Montjen c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Montjen" by James Tibbits Willmore, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It has this lovely, almost dreamlike quality. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The etching process itself is crucial here. Consider the labor involved in creating this seemingly simple image. The metal plate, the acid, the skilled hand—all contribute to its meaning. What socioeconomic context enabled this production? Editor: So, it's not just the image of the landscape, but the materials and the making of it that matter? Curator: Precisely. The print speaks to a specific mode of production and dissemination, linking artistic creation to broader systems of labor and consumption. Editor: I never thought of it that way before. Thanks! Curator: It’s all about seeing the artwork as part of a larger material and economic reality.