Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus c. 18th century

Editor: This is Christian Gottfried Schulze's "Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus," a print held at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the detailed rendering of her garments. How did the materials used to create this influence its meaning? Curator: Examining the printmaking process reveals much about accessibility and dissemination. Prints, unlike unique paintings, facilitated broader circulation of Cornaro's image. This mass production highlights how her representation became a commodity, consumed within a specific social and political context. Editor: So, the medium itself democratized her image? Curator: Precisely. The material reality of printmaking allowed for a wider audience, shaping the reception and interpretation of her power. Consider the labor involved, the paper production, the printmaker's skill—all contributing to the final image and its impact. What do you make of the emblem at the bottom? Editor: It’s interesting to consider how the combination of accessible production with these status symbols may have shaped audiences' perceptions. Thanks, that really changes how I see it! Curator: Indeed. By considering the materiality and production of art, we can uncover deeper meanings embedded within the work and its reception.