View of the Palace at Muran of the Count Widman of Ständig 1681

Editor: This is Melchior Küsel's "View of the Palace at Muran of the Count Widman of Ständig," an etching. The way the figures are arranged on the bank makes me wonder about class distinctions. What do you see here? Curator: The placement of the Count's palace juxtaposed with the figures certainly speaks to power dynamics. Who has access to the water, to trade, to freedom? How does Küsel’s print subtly highlight or perhaps critique that? Editor: So, the figures aren't just there for perspective; they represent a societal structure? Curator: Exactly. Consider how this scene might be different if those figures were absent, or were replaced by other figures of a different race, class, or gender. It completely changes the narrative. Editor: I never considered that before. It gives me a lot to think about. Curator: Indeed. These visual choices are never neutral.