The Old Art Dealer c. 19th century

Curator: Welcome, everyone. Let’s discuss "The Old Art Dealer," a work attributed to Louis Canon from the 19th century here at the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s rendered through etching and lithography on paper. Editor: My first impression is one of intimate clutter, it has the warmth and complexity of lived space and the slight sketchiness suggests a kind of in-betweenness. It's definitely evocative. Curator: Absolutely. This print offers us a peek into the art world of the period, highlighting the role of the art dealer, who, we can see here, isn't merely selling but also deeply involved with the artworks themselves. Notice how he is studying a picture while in his surroundings several more pieces crowd the scene and even seem to loom above him. Editor: That’s where I think the print technique becomes central. Etching, and especially lithography, offered means to disseminate imagery and were vital to creating a market around images in this period. Here the skill of making multiples allows for, possibly, democratizing image collecting, however limited that reach. What do you think? Curator: Indeed, the print medium here democratizes art in some respects but I want to notice how the very specific details such as the clothing of the man or objects on his shelf may speak of social standing and professional identity at the time. He becomes part of the historical record that is both intimate and distant. Editor: True, this intimate scene presents a curious tension between handcrafted and industrially multiplied works. I also feel the materials reflect class implications. But ultimately the artist makes a statement with a clear knowledge of tools, processes, and distribution to mediate a figure in culture. Curator: A successful synthesis of the artist’s role in shaping, reflecting, and perpetuating culture then, through his keen attention to this kind of art worker and the objects in this very room. Editor: I agree, Louis Canon creates a picture that can really invite to consider materials and circumstances behind it all. Curator: Definitely. It underscores the intertwining of commerce, artistry, and reception that defined art's position in society, then and now.