Medaillon med portrætter af Ludvig XVI, hans dronning og søn 1793

Curator: This engraving, “Medallion with portraits of Louis XVI, his Queen, and Son," created in 1793 by G.N. Angelo, speaks volumes about the means of artistic reproduction during the French Revolution. What catches your eye first? Editor: Well, the print is rather somber. The stark contrast from the dark engraving against the plain paper underscores a tragic feeling. There's an inscription in French encircling the portrait of the royal family. What’s the story behind these prints, beyond their obvious subject matter? Curator: This print's creation signifies a fascinating interplay between art, industry, and political upheaval. Angelo, the engraver, becomes a manufacturer of sentiment. We see an attempt to solidify a particular memory and representation of the monarchy as martyrs through mass production. Think about the paper, ink, and the very act of reproducing and disseminating images – what sort of social implications would that have? Editor: I see your point about the material. It transforms from a simple commemorative image to almost propaganda. The scale is relatively small. Was it easy to create? Was printmaking becoming more common during that time? Curator: The affordability of the materials combined with the increasing skill and accessibility of engraving techniques made works such as this one prevalent. It would have been accessible to a wide range of people in society. How does seeing it within that lens alter your understanding of the work? Editor: Knowing more about its means of production sheds light on its social and political impact during such a turbulent period. I focused on aesthetic and symbolic factors, and I missed this crucial perspective of material culture. Curator: Absolutely! It’s through considering the materials and modes of production that we come to a greater awareness. I’m glad we could consider the print in its historical and material conditions today.