Portret van Adrian Steger 1725

Editor: So, this is “Portret van Adrian Steger,” made around 1725 by Martin Bernigeroth. It’s an engraving, which is interesting. The detail is impressive! What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: Well, as a materialist, my mind immediately goes to the *how* of this object. Think about the engraver's labor, the tools employed to create those delicate lines, the very physicality of the copper plate. It speaks to the artisanal production in the Baroque era. Consider the economic context that allowed for the commissioning of such a detailed print. Editor: So it's less about Steger himself and more about the… act of creating? Curator: Not entirely, but the portrait is interesting AS a commodity. Engravings like this one were reproduced and disseminated. We see power visualized—not just Steger's, but that of the printing process itself, and Bernigeroth’s position in this ecosystem. Do you notice anything about his robe? How is power depicted there, for example? Editor: The fabric looks really luxurious and weighty, conveying wealth. But I see what you mean – it is all crafted. It highlights labor and also what Steger could consume! Curator: Precisely! Consumption, production, dissemination, and access. Understanding these material elements grants access to the subject itself! Editor: I never considered that angle with portraits! That gives me a new lens for how to appreciate them. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. There’s so much we can unpack when we view art as the product of social and material forces.