Valdemar den Store 1646

Curator: Editor: This is an engraving from 1646 titled "Valdemar den Store" attributed to an anonymous artist. It strikes me how meticulously rendered the textures are, especially the metal of the armor and the intricate details of his crown. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Focusing on the tangible realities, consider the copperplate from which this print originates. How many impressions could that plate produce before its lines began to degrade, and what does that suggest about the intended audience and its socio-economic status? Is this intended for mass consumption, or is this print intended for a wealthier consumer? Editor: So, the act of printing itself becomes a part of the artwork’s story. What impact might printing have on art distribution at the time? Curator: Exactly! And not just distribution, but also the very perception of authority. Note how the engraver depicts Valdemar with these luxurious, tactile details, despite him being a medieval figure who lived centuries prior. How does this manipulation of materials, the ink on paper, serve to create and perpetuate a certain narrative of power? Think about how this relatively cheap engraving, as a multiple, contributes to create this desired impression on society. Editor: It sounds like this wasn't simply about creating an image, but about constructing a specific idea of kingship through the choice of material and method. Curator: Precisely. The work’s value lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but also in how it participates in broader economic and cultural systems. What do you take away from looking at this engraving in this way? Editor: Thinking about art in terms of its production and circulation gives me a much clearer idea of its purpose. Curator: Indeed. Shifting focus to material concerns brings to the foreground the way artworks actively participate in shaping the societies in which they circulate.