Title-page 1758

Editor: This is the title page for "Divers Paysages" by Denis-Pierre-Jean Papillon de la Ferté. It seems to be a print, perhaps an etching? It’s filled with allegorical figures and the tools of the artist. How do you interpret the significance of these elements, particularly in relation to the production of art? Curator: Look at the means of production. The composition leads our eyes to the tools, the engraver’s burin, the very labor involved. Consider the social context: Papillon de la Ferté was superintendent of the Menus-Plaisirs, responsible for court entertainment. The title references royal patronage. Do you think that influences the imagery and the message being conveyed? Editor: It does seem to connect artistic skill with royal authority, highlighting the labor sanctioned by the monarchy. I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly! It reframes our perception of the artistry not just as skill, but labor that’s supported, indeed driven, by consumption and the existing power structures. That changes how we value it, doesn't it?