Vlinders op gebladerte 1710 - 1774

Editor: Here we have "Butterflies on foliage," made between 1710 and 1774 by Jacob l'Admiral, a print housed here at the Rijksmuseum. I find the rendering of detail in the leaves to be just remarkable, such careful line work to make them appear textured. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Well, look at the *process* itself. Admiral meticulously created this image using engraving, a demanding printmaking technique. Think about the labor involved, cutting those fine lines into a metal plate. It bridges the gap between ‘high art’ and skilled craft. Editor: That's a very interesting way to approach it, framing the piece as a kind of "crafted object". Did the process itself have any deeper, maybe societal implications? Curator: Absolutely! Consider the context. During the 18th century, there was a growing interest in natural history, fueled by exploration and colonialism. Prints like these, circulating as relatively affordable engravings, played a key role in disseminating knowledge, influencing consumer desires, and visually ‘possessing’ these exotic specimens. Editor: So you are saying the art had the dual function of information sharing and... advertising of sort? Curator: Yes, the mass production aspect allowed a much wider audience to connect to the natural world. Further, this ‘realistic’ depiction could also be used as a decorative design, further commodifying nature itself. Now, does that resonate with how you view the piece? Editor: That certainly makes me look at this botanical illustration in a new light, almost a precursor to mass media influencing consumer culture! I definitely appreciate that. Curator: And seeing art through the lens of materials, labor, and its social implications gives a much deeper understanding, beyond mere aesthetics.