Peder Resen & co. 1779 - 1781

Editor: This print, “Peder Resen & co.” by J.F. Clemens, was created between 1779 and 1781 using etching and engraving techniques. It’s an interesting composition, almost like a commemorative monument. What do you make of this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating confluence of labor, materiality, and social context. This print, made using etching and engraving, points directly to the means of its own production. The fine lines, the repeated motifs in the bordering frame and in the construction of the monument itself, the precise application of ink to paper: all these physical actions denote intense labor. Editor: I never thought of it like that, focusing on the effort involved. Curator: Consider how the act of producing and circulating this image created a certain type of value. Each impression would disseminate an idea, reinforce a social hierarchy, and potentially generate income for the artist and publisher. How might the materials used, and their accessibility at the time, influence the scale and distribution of such a print? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just about the names listed on the monument, but also about how the image itself became a commodity? Curator: Precisely. It encourages us to rethink the distinction between high art and craft by emphasizing the physicality of art making and its connection to broader economic and social systems. Editor: I now appreciate how focusing on the materiality and process provides a fresh perspective, shedding light on art's historical and economic significance. Curator: It’s about understanding art as an object deeply embedded in the social fabric.