Suerte II: Picador on horseback about to stab a bull with a pique; two toreros behind him to left (two impressions on the same sheet) 1845 - 1855

Editor: This print, “Suerte II: Picador on horseback about to stab a bull with a pique," is an engraving from the mid-19th century. It's like a glimpse into a staged spectacle, complete with audience. I'm struck by the level of detail achieved with such a seemingly simple process. What jumps out at you? Curator: I'm particularly interested in how the production of this print would have related to popular consumption at the time. Engravings like this were reproducible; think of them as early mass media. The material choices -- paper, ink, the metal plate -- were dictated as much by cost and accessibility as by aesthetics. Editor: So, the print’s affordability determined its style? Curator: In a way, yes. The print medium allowed for broader distribution of imagery. This specific subject matter is bullfighting – can we consider this print as propagating or possibly celebrating cultural norms by depicting and commodifying this violent tradition for wider viewership? Consider how this production and dissemination impacts perspectives, solidifying or potentially even shaping societal behaviors. Editor: I see, the production of the print, a supposedly 'simple' act, encodes so much more about social attitudes than just documenting bullfighting. Did the artist play a part in making this work, or were the designs coming from a printing company and not signed or labeled? Curator: Exactly! We can consider how the engraving itself, as a labor-intensive process, reflects the societal value placed on craft and artistry versus pure mechanical reproduction. Understanding these material conditions allows us to critically assess the image and its role in its specific time and even how those impressions impact audiences today. Editor: Thanks, I hadn't thought about the social impact and materiality behind mass produced prints. This has broadened my understanding! Curator: Me too! Examining the layers of production can often reveal deeper insights.