Plate 6: Bertoldo hidden in a furnace, from "Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno" 1705 - 1715

Editor: This etching by Giuseppe Maria Crespi, titled "Plate 6: Bertoldo hidden in a furnace, from 'Bertoldo, Bertoldino, and Cacasenno'," created between 1705 and 1715, is surprisingly captivating. It's monochrome, with a figure curled up inside what seems to be a brick oven. I’m interested in your take – what draws your attention in this piece? Curator: It's the interplay between the quotidian and the theatrical, isn't it? This image asks us to consider the labor involved in constructing even a simple oven, brick by brick. Notice the careful rendering of the brickwork—it's not just background, it's integral to the scene. How does the image play with notions of “high” art versus “low” craft? Editor: I see what you mean! The setting, an oven, which is typically utilitarian, feels elevated through the artist's close attention. I guess the skill and artistry used to represent everyday objects challenge that hierarchy. The labor is almost romanticized through the etching process itself. Is the “genre painting” label applicable to all of the artist’s prints, would you say? Curator: Yes, the application of “genre painting” in this print emphasizes domestic spaces with figuration; the series might underscore a subtle critique. The artist utilizes their tools in this setting with intent, but is the audience supposed to be focused on what kind of tools are involved, or on the story and its characters? Editor: That's a fascinating question. Focusing on materiality brings another layer, about artistry of the print and context behind the domestic scene depicted. Thanks! Curator: It brings a new perspective on considering value and visibility in the artistic process. It definitely got me thinking.