The Birth of Bacchus 1809

Editor: This is "The Birth of Bacchus" by Barthélemy Joseph Fulcran Roger. The fine lines make it look like an engraving. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: I'm struck by the process. The labor involved in this reproductive print – the meticulous engraving – makes the mythological scene accessible. How does the act of dissemination change our understanding of classical narratives? Editor: So, it's not just the story, but who gets to see it, and how it's made available? Curator: Precisely. The materials themselves, the ink, paper, and printing press, democratize the subject matter, impacting its social relevance and consumption. Editor: That makes me look at it differently, I hadn't considered who had access to this image, and how the artist made it. Curator: Indeed, it changes everything.