Orlando Furioso 

Editor: Here we have Gustave Dore’s engraving titled *Orlando Furioso*. It's a monochrome image depicting a dramatic scene within what seems to be a bedchamber. The intense detail really strikes me. How do you approach understanding a piece like this? Curator: I consider Dore's access to specific materials like the metal plates and the tools to manipulate them as primary factors in how he constructed his imagery. Can you describe how that intense detail relates to the process of engraving? Editor: Well, each line must be meticulously carved. It feels like the labor involved must have been immense! The texture and depth create this sense of opulence. Curator: Precisely! Dore’s work, including the commissioning and dissemination of prints like this, reveals a commercial enterprise as much as an artistic endeavor. The consumption of such images ties into class and taste. Editor: So it's less about high art and more about the mechanics of how art is created and consumed within society. Are we challenging traditional art historical narratives then? Curator: Exactly! By examining the labor, materials, and circulation, we challenge a sole focus on "genius". For instance, the availability of paper, the printing press, and even the distribution networks are as crucial to the meaning as the artist’s skill. This creates art outside the established cannon. What labor relations do you think were in effect for an artist to create this kind of work? Editor: I had always thought of the art in museums in terms of artistry, but understanding the role of printing technologies in this case really broadened my appreciation. I see how the cost, distribution, and potential audience shaped Dore’s work! Curator: It reframes our perspective, doesn’t it? Appreciating the material conditions and labor behind artwork allows a richer, more grounded interpretation.