Jens Peter Jensen 1813 - 1875

Editor: This lithograph, "Jens Peter Jensen," dates to sometime between 1813 and 1875 and is held at the SMK in Copenhagen. The subject’s attire seems pretty formal, and the rendering of details like the buttons on the jacket looks quite precise, perhaps even manufactured, not just illustrated. What do you notice about how it was made? Curator: This portrait print offers a unique perspective when considered as a manufactured object. Lithography itself, with its chemical processes on stone, represents a shift in art production. Think about the labor involved—not just the artist's hand, but the stone preparation, the printing process. Editor: So, instead of focusing on the individual portrayed, we think about how prints allowed images to be reproduced more widely? Curator: Precisely. The subject's clothing, the medal – these weren't created in isolation either. They are products of a specific time and place, of industries and social structures. Consider the consumption of these prints—who purchased them, and how did they function within a developing visual culture? It blurs the lines between "art" and commodity, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, and that challenges my initial, more superficial reading based on the image itself. It pushes me to investigate the wider networks involved in the artwork's creation and circulation. I will definitely consider the labour involved in future viewings. Curator: Exactly! Understanding the means of production lets us see art as a product of its time.