Portret van Cornelis van Solingen 1670 - 1727

Editor: This is "Portret van Cornelis van Solingen," an intaglio print from somewhere between 1670 and 1727, made by Johann Friedrich Bodecker. The textures achieved with engraving are incredible; how the varying lines give the impression of folds in the fabric or hair. What aspects of its creation stand out to you? Curator: Look at how the process of intaglio shapes our understanding. Engraving, a reproductive medium, allowed for wider distribution of this man's image. It speaks to notions of status, and even nascent ideas of celebrity, intertwined with the means of production and accessibility of the artwork itself. It is, quite literally, materializing fame. Editor: So the *making* of the art contributes to the message of the portrait? Curator: Exactly. Consider the labor involved in such a detailed print. The artist's skill becomes a commodity itself. We should ask: who consumed these prints, and what did they *do* with them? Were they displayed, traded, or stored? These actions contextualize the image, connecting the art to the economic and social lives of its viewers. Editor: That is interesting! Thinking about it as a commodity really shifts how I see this portrait. Curator: Yes. And notice how the materials – the ink, the paper, the tools used to engrave – each contribute to the final product and influence its reception. It pushes us to examine the societal structures at play that valued both the subject and the artwork. Editor: I see how focusing on the material elements provides a wider appreciation for the print! Thanks. Curator: Of course! And considering how art creates culture can change how we think of art as separate or elite.