Johann Gottfried von Mayern c. 18th century

Editor: This engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth depicts Johann Gottfried von Mayern. The amount of detail achieved through the engraving process is impressive. What can you tell me about the socio-economic context behind this type of printmaking? Curator: Look closely at the lines, the hatching and cross-hatching. This labour-intensive process speaks to a specific type of patronage and consumption. The print was a commodity produced within a system reliant on skilled artisans and a market that valued finely crafted images. Consider the role of these images in disseminating information and constructing social status. How might that shape our view of the subject? Editor: It makes me consider who could afford such detailed portraits and how they were distributed. Thanks for the insight! Curator: It reveals the intricate relationship between art, labor, and social power.