Trosje druiven 1775 - 1833

Editor: So, this is “Trosje druiven,” a print by Jean Bernard, dating sometime between 1775 and 1833, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. It looks like an engraved portrait of a regal gentleman surrounded by ornate decorations and text. It seems so detailed! How would you interpret this work? Curator: Looking at the materials, this engraving represents a crucial moment in the democratization of art. The proliferation of prints allowed images and ideas to circulate in a way previously unimaginable. Consider the labour involved: the skilled artisan meticulously transferring an image onto a metal plate, a process itself reflecting a culture of craft and precision. The depicted Charles X Gustav of Sweden is elevated through this material means of production. The inscription and symbols surrounding him point to the specific conditions and material power dynamics of his reign. Editor: That's interesting. I was just seeing it as a fancy picture, but you're highlighting how the making of it changed how art was seen by different people. What's the significance of the frame around the portrait – the armor and strange creatures? Curator: These elements are deeply connected to the social and material circumstances. Armor symbolizes military strength, while the strange creatures, and even the text are not just decoration but visual tools. Reflect on their production and consumption. Where were such materials sourced and who consumed them, considering the class structures of the time? The abundance showcased in this engraving tells a particular story about how elites wielded their authority, both symbolic and material. Editor: So, it’s not just about who he was, but about how the image itself participates in systems of power and consumption? Curator: Exactly! The choice of engraving as a medium and the style's opulence reflect a desire to disseminate a particular message, rooted in material wealth and social standing. Editor: This gives me so much to think about regarding access, artistic choices, and material culture! Thanks for opening my eyes to this new perspective. Curator: It’s a pleasure! The materiality always whispers its own historical narrative if we lend an ear.