Rape of Europa c. 18th century

Editor: This is Nicolas Le Sueur's "Rape of Europa." It's quite a scene! What strikes me most is the detailed line work; I wonder what the process was like? Curator: The means of production are key here. Consider the copperplate engraving. Each line meticulously etched, then inked, and pressed. It's a form of labor, reproducing imagery for a wider consumption. What does this reproductive quality do to our understanding of the myth? Editor: I see what you mean. It makes it more accessible, less precious, perhaps. Curator: Precisely! It shifts the focus from unique artistic genius to a distributed, manufactured aesthetic experience. The lines delineate forms and also facilitate the circulation of ideas. Editor: That’s fascinating. I’ll never look at prints the same way. Curator: Thinking about the material and its production opens up new possibilities for interpretation.