Portret van Aben Humeya, koning van Granada 1621 - 1699

Editor: This is a portrait of Aben Humeya, King of Granada, made between 1621 and 1699. It’s an engraving and attributed to an anonymous artist. It feels so formal, almost stiff. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its materials? Curator: I'm drawn to the engraving itself. Look closely at the lines, the process of carving into the metal plate, the labor involved. It’s not just an image; it’s a product of a specific social context where printed images held immense power for dissemination. How does this affect your viewing of it? Editor: I see what you mean. The act of reproducing his image, the deliberate choices made in representing him through this medium... It suggests a kind of cultural control, doesn’t it? The material is part of the message. Curator: Exactly! The use of engraving implies mass production, which leads to a broader reach, shaping how this ruler was perceived across different social strata. Is this a true representation or something else? Who was the intended audience? What’s missing? Editor: It’s like the engraving flattens the complexity of the subject. It brings to light the relationship between artistic skill and the commodification of identity. There’s a transaction there, an agenda perhaps. I never thought about an engraving so politically before. Curator: Considering this engraving exists at the intersection of artistry, historical narrative, and social power structures encourages us to rethink how seemingly simple materials become active participants in the construction of collective memory and cultural value. I will never look at engravings the same.