Ontwikkeling van de zijderups tot een vlinder 1731

Editor: Here we have "Ontwikkeling van de zijderups tot een vlinder," or "Development of the silkworm to a butterfly," a print by Bernard Picart from 1731. The intricacy is impressive; you can really see the detailed rendering of the insect's life cycle, almost like a scientific diagram. How do you approach a work like this? Curator: I find it fascinating to consider this piece through a materialist lens. Consider the labor involved, the careful application of pen and engraving to meticulously document the silkworm's transformation. It’s not just about the biological accuracy. Editor: So, what’s significant about that labor and the medium used? Curator: Well, the very act of engraving and printing allowed for the mass production of knowledge. This image wouldn't have been confined to an elite collector; it could circulate, educating a wider audience on natural processes and, significantly, the source of silk, a valuable commodity. Think of the colonial implications connected to that… Do you consider how that shapes your view? Editor: It's easy to separate art and labor, but seeing this, the means of production becomes so central. You are almost making me reconsider the artistic value... it's informative. Curator: Exactly! This wasn't necessarily ‘high art’ aiming for aesthetic beauty alone, it merges craft, science, and economics. What do we learn from the silkworm’s materials versus Picart's materials? How the materiality dictates an end-product in both silk production and printing/distribution? Editor: It makes me realize that the materials and processes used to create the artwork are intertwined with a larger socio-economic context. Thank you. Curator: Yes, we've examined the materiality and labour of Picart's artistic intervention and the production and circulation that this enabled.