Angélique et Médor c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Nicolas Delaunay's "Angelique et Mèdor." The figures seem idealized, almost ethereal, but the sharp lines of the engraving give the print a definite tactile quality. What can you tell me about the making of this image? Curator: Consider the labor involved. The engraver, Delaunay, translates another artist's vision into a repeatable image. The original drawing or painting is then mechanically reproduced, widely disseminated, and consumed by a broader audience. Editor: So, you're highlighting the production of the image as a commodity? Curator: Exactly! We see love not as some sublime experience, but as a commodity circulated through artistic labor and material production. What do you think about that tension? Editor: I never thought of it that way before, but I find that perspective on the image to be a powerful one. Thanks!