Verdorde Nel en Jan Afterlam 1612 - 1652

Editor: This print, "Verdorde Nel en Jan Afterlam," by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, created sometime between 1612 and 1652, portrays two rather…weathered individuals. It's stark, almost cruelly honest. How would you approach analyzing this piece? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the materials and processes involved. Consider the labour invested in creating these engravings. Each line, each tiny mark, is deliberate. What kind of workshop might have produced these prints, and for what kind of market? Was it a mass market commodity, or something intended for a wealthier, more discerning clientele? Editor: I hadn’t thought about it in terms of its production so much. I was focused on the depiction of the subjects themselves. Curator: But you can’t separate the image from the means of its creation! Think about the paper itself, the ink. Were these materials locally sourced, or were they imported? The consumption of such prints speaks to a broader social and economic context. The very act of producing and consuming these images participates in a specific material culture. How do you think the subjects of the portraits connect to that economic reality? Editor: That's interesting. Maybe the artist is subtly commenting on class or… perhaps even the human cost of a burgeoning market? Curator: Exactly! Or, what if the consumption of these images was itself a marker of status, or perhaps a way to signal shared values amongst a specific social group? Ultimately, every aspect of its production and distribution adds layers to its meaning. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider! It's much more than just a couple of portraits; it's a record of production and consumption. Curator: Precisely. Considering these issues provides us a much more insightful perspective than simply aesthetic considerations could allow.