Grave! Grave! Très-Grave! 1862

Curator: It's remarkable how Charles Jacque, in his 1862 etching "Grave! Grave! Tr\u00e8s-Grave!" at the Art Institute of Chicago, utilizes the humble medium of etching on paper to portray such a poignant historical scene. Editor: Indeed! It strikes me as rather somber, yet captivating. A group kneels, seemingly in prayer or supplication, before a man holding what appears to be a skull. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: What interests me the most is to examine the materials themselves. Paper and etching have a strong link to mass production and consumption of images. Think about it: Jacque chose a medium accessible to a broad public, subtly commenting on the socio-economic impact of accessible art, right? How would it have been received by different classes in French society at that time, who could afford paintings versus affordable prints such as this? Editor: So you're suggesting the very choice of etching as a medium democratizes the narrative being depicted? It is almost history becoming available for everyone. Curator: Precisely. And consider the labor involved: from the paper production to the meticulous work on the etching plate. It connects the artistic narrative to the larger networks of labour. What statement is being made here through materiality about labour? Editor: Fascinating. I hadn't considered that. It really makes you think about who had access to these stories and how they were consumed back then. It completely shifts the focus from a single artistic genius to an entire web of creation and reception! Curator: Exactly. Understanding the work and means to get the artwork created opens up completely new levels of meaning. I see the scene now with different eyes. Editor: I’m looking at this completely differently now! Thank you.