Pierre Lallemant 1678

Editor: This is a portrait of Pierre Lallemant by Robert Nanteuil. The intricate details are striking! What can you tell me about the materials and production of this engraving? Curator: Nanteuil was celebrated for his skill in engraving, a labor-intensive process. Think about the copper plate, the tools used to incise lines, and the paper itself. The social status of portrait subjects like Lallemant, Chancellor of Paris, fueled demand. Editor: So, the materials and the social standing of the subject are intertwined? Curator: Exactly. The value of the print lies not only in its artistic merit, but in the materials used and the social context surrounding its creation and consumption. Editor: That's a different way to look at it. I'll definitely consider the social context behind the work from now on. Curator: Indeed. The work reflects labor, materiality, and consumption.