Military Exercises, after Callot c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Military Exercises, after Callot," by Adrian Ludwig Richter. It shows many tiny figures, all soldiers, in a uniform style. It's so delicate. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The etching process is key here. How does the act of reproducing Callot’s images, likely for mass distribution, change the original’s context? Consider Richter's labor and the intended audience. Is this about venerating military might, or something else? Editor: So, it's less about the soldiers themselves and more about how the image was made and shared? Curator: Exactly! The means of production and consumption are central to understanding its meaning. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's like thinking about the assembly line rather than the product. Curator: Precisely.