Mannus, from the series "The Twelve Oldest German Kings" early 20th century (original from c.1540)

Editor: This small bronze plaque depicts Mannus, from "The Twelve Oldest German Kings". It feels like a medieval coin. What does this tell us about the process and its context? Curator: Notice the material itself, likely chosen for its durability and symbolic weight. The process of casting suggests a reproduction, perhaps for distribution. Who was consuming these images, and what did Mannus represent to them? The value resides not just in the image but in its materiality and circulation. Editor: That's fascinating, I didn't think about the bronze itself as a message! Curator: Considering the means of production and consumption really opens up the artwork’s significance.