Maddalena Corvina 1636

Editor: Here we have Claude Mellan's "Maddalena Corvina," an engraving. The remarkable thing is its linear precision. How do you see this portrait through a materialist lens? Curator: Notice Mellan’s process: engraving demanded skilled labor and specialized tools, making art production a tangible, material activity. Consider the availability and cost of copper plates, the engraver's tools, and the distribution networks for prints. What does that tell us about art consumption at that time? Editor: It suggests art was becoming more accessible due to printmaking technology and distribution, but still relied on the skill of the artisan. Thank you! Curator: Exactly! Reflecting on the materiality demystifies the artistic genius, grounding it in its material conditions.