Fascicule I 1763

Editor: Here we have "Fascicule I", created around 1763 by Jean Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non. It's an ink and etching print, quite delicate. There's something very neoclassical about the rendering of what appears to be historical artifacts… what catches your eye in this work? Curator: For me, it’s how this print embodies the labor of reproduction and dissemination of knowledge in the 18th century. We’re not just looking at copies of ancient objects; we're witnessing the process of turning material culture into portable, reproducible images. What impact would accessibility have on shaping aesthetic taste and social values in this period? Editor: So, the focus is less on the artistic merit of the drawings themselves and more on their role as a vehicle for making these ancient images widespread? Curator: Exactly! Consider the etching process itself – the skilled labor involved in translating three-dimensional objects into a two-dimensional, easily distributed format. Think about the societal context, where printed materials facilitated the democratization of art appreciation to some degree. What did such image proliferation do to art valuation, do you think? Editor: It's fascinating to think of these images circulating, influencing design and sparking new ideas. Almost a pre-internet sharing of art! Did that undermine more "unique" works of art? Curator: It’s not necessarily about undermining, but certainly about challenging traditional boundaries. How can we redefine “originality” and “artistic value” when considering the impact of reproductive technologies like printmaking, particularly with regard to material considerations and labour? Editor: That gives me a new way to consider the value of reproducible media and its democratization of art and knowledge! Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Seeing art's circulation and labor can alter the conversation entirely.