Copy after the Figurine c. 17th century

Editor: This is Salvator Rosa’s "Copy after the Figurine," an etching with no specified date. It makes me think about the labor of reproduction, the physical act of copying. What can you tell me about the artistic process at play here? Curator: Look closely at the lines. Notice how the etching process allows for precise duplication, yet also introduces variations. Consider Rosa’s access to materials, the social value placed on reproduction versus original creation, and the skill involved in this "copy." Editor: So, it's not just about replicating an image, but engaging with the means of production and the cultural value of the work itself. Curator: Precisely! And how the handmade nature of etching challenges ideas of mass production and artistic authenticity. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks for expanding my understanding. Curator: My pleasure! It's about seeing the labor and materials embedded in the art.