Sapper of the Swiss Guard 1779

Curator: This is Johann Georg Wille's "Sapper of the Swiss Guard", currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The intricacy is striking. Look at the detail in the uniform, particularly the fur cap. What material was used for the original plate? Curator: Wille was a master engraver. He likely used copper, given its malleability and ability to hold fine lines. It's interesting to consider how this image functions as a representation of power and loyalty. The Swiss Guard were, after all, mercenaries. Editor: Precisely. The material conditions of war – the sourcing of metals, the labor of the engraver – are all interwoven with the political reality it depicts. Were these engravings widely circulated, shaping public perception? Curator: Definitely. Prints like these played a crucial role in disseminating images of authority and reinforcing social hierarchies. Editor: Considering the labor involved in its creation, we gain a deeper appreciation for the social realities surrounding this image and the guard it represents. Curator: Absolutely, examining the printmaking techniques and circulation provides insight into the guard's role in society and the image's intended audience.