Portret van Daniel Christoph Klee 1775

Editor: This is "Portret van Daniel Christoph Klee," a print from 1775 by Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. It’s an engraving. I'm struck by the incredible detail achievable through this method. What’s your perspective on it? Curator: As a materialist, my initial reaction is to the process itself. Consider the labor involved in creating this engraving, the craftsman's expertise in manipulating metal to produce this image. This was a time before photographic reproduction. What does this process of reproduction tell us about the consumption of images and how value was created? Editor: That's interesting, I was focused more on the image, not how it was made! So, it’s not just about the portrait itself, but how the portrait came into being and its accessibility? Curator: Exactly. The means of production directly affects its accessibility and therefore its social impact. Consider the social standing of someone who could commission such a print versus the access ordinary people might have to such imagery. The material tells us so much about its cultural relevance and meaning. Editor: I never really thought about that. Curator: Think about how the selection of materials – the copper plate, the inks – each contribute to the final product and signal particular intentions or even class aspirations. It's not simply about representation; it is about presentation and the politics of making. How the artist manipulates the medium conveys a powerful message. Does focusing on process shift your perception of the work? Editor: It definitely does. I'll pay more attention to these aspects now. I think this insight completely transformed my perception, and I'm viewing art from a totally different angle!