Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert c. 19th century

Editor: This is Paul Barfus's portrait of Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert. I notice the careful detail in the etching. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I'm interested in the labor that went into this print. Consider the engraver's meticulous work, reproducing an image for wider circulation. How does this act of reproduction affect our understanding of authorship and value? Editor: So, it's less about Schubert and more about the process of making and sharing the image? Curator: Precisely. The print’s value lies in its ability to disseminate knowledge, almost like a pre-digital meme. Editor: That's a fresh perspective, shifting from the subject to the means of production. Curator: It makes you rethink how we assign meaning to art.