Portret van Ernst II, hertog van Saksen-Gotha-Altenburg 1775 - 1834

Editor: So this is "Portret van Ernst II, hertog van Saksen-Gotha-Altenburg," dating roughly between 1775 and 1834, currently at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a drawing in ink on paper. The simplicity of the line work gives it a very austere, official feel. How do you interpret this work? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the materiality of the piece itself. The choice of ink and paper, readily available yet carefully deployed, speaks volumes about production during this period. Consider the labour involved, not just in the artist’s skill, but in the very preparation of these materials. Was the paper locally sourced? What kind of ink was used? Where did its components originate, and who processed them? Editor: That's a very different angle than I was expecting. So, instead of focusing on Ernst II, you're looking at the social history embedded in the physical artwork? Curator: Precisely. The portrait, framed by Neoclassicism, presents a clear, perhaps idealized image of power. Yet, beneath that veneer lies a complex web of labour and resources. The creation of this artwork was likely intended to signal the patron's taste and the ruler's command; however, it simultaneously reveals intricate aspects about production and material access during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. How are those accessible means potentially challenging higher art's boundary? Editor: I hadn’t really considered that aspect before, the availability of materials. Thinking about who had access to those resources at that time. Curator: Exactly! And that access determined not only who could create but also what could be created. Hopefully we remember these considerations regarding material availability when considering contemporary production. Editor: Definitely, it puts a whole new perspective on it! Thanks!