Françoise de Rimini c. 19th century

Editor: This is Luigi Calamatta's "Françoise de Rimini," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white creates such a dramatic effect. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the materiality of this print. Consider the labor involved in its creation – the engraver's skill, the tools employed, the availability of printing presses. How does this reproductive process affect our understanding of the original subject matter? Editor: That's a fascinating point; I hadn't considered the impact of its production. Curator: The consumption of these prints also reveals much about the social context and the desire for accessing art beyond the elite circles. Editor: Looking at art through the lens of labor and consumption gives it a new dimension. Thanks for sharing your insight. Curator: Indeed! It's always enriching to think about the material conditions that shape our perception of art.