Robert Le Lorrain 1749

Curator: Robert Le Lorrain, engraved by Jacques Nicolas Tardieu, presents a formal portrait, but what draws your eye? Editor: The tools at the base of the image really stand out. What can you tell me about their significance? Curator: Note how the printmaking process elevates the sculptor by showcasing his tools alongside his portrait. Tardieu is not just depicting Lorrain, he's carefully crafting an image of labor and artistic identity for consumption. Editor: That’s interesting, so it’s about the means of production being made visible? Curator: Precisely. The print itself becomes a commodity, showcasing the sculptor's status and skill within a specific social context. I never considered the printmaking as a form of labor before. Editor: Me neither. Thanks for shedding light on it.