Titelprent voor de prentserie 'Iconographia' 1682

Editor: Here we have "Titelprent voor de prentserie 'Iconographia'," created in 1682 by Melchior Küsel. It's an engraving with typography, held at the Rijksmuseum. The texture of the paper and the formality of the typeface make it look like an official document. How do you interpret this title page, thinking about its place in art history and society? Curator: This title page offers a glimpse into the relationship between art, power, and knowledge in the late 17th century. Küsel's print announces a series dedicated to the Christian universe and the rarities of Italy - palaces, gardens, histories. Its publication in Augsburg positions the city as a center for disseminating cultural capital. Consider the phrase "proprio aere ari incisa et venales exposita," meaning engraved in its own bronze, offered for sale. What does that reveal? Editor: It emphasizes the value and commercial aspect of art, that this was produced with special tools, bronze plates and it was meant to be sold in public. Curator: Precisely! The act of making and selling art speaks to a shift towards a more public and commercial role for art. What social class might buy something like this at the time? And what do you think it says about what they would hang on their walls, or keep in a personal collection? Editor: Probably someone with means, who valued not just decoration, but education and status – perhaps scholars or merchants. It feels like they are interested in landscapes with a story and meaning behind it, as status symbols. I see how these images could function within a broader economy of knowledge and cultural exchange. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. It highlights the vital role of printmaking in disseminating knowledge and shaping cultural perceptions in early modern Europe. A vital reminder that images always carry within them the power dynamics of their creation and consumption.