Titian's Schoolmaster c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Henry Duff Linton’s "Titian’s Schoolmaster," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The sharp lines and contrasts of the engraving are striking. How do you read this portrait? Curator: The engraving process itself is central here. Consider the labor involved in meticulously translating Moroni’s painting into this accessible, reproducible form. It democratizes the image, shifting its value from unique object to widely circulated commodity. Editor: So, the value isn't necessarily in the artistic skill displayed but in its accessibility? Curator: Precisely. The act of reproduction challenges the traditional aura of the original, highlighting the social context of art consumption and its role in disseminating knowledge and cultural values. Did the wider circulation of the image affect the perception of the subject? Editor: I see. It emphasizes art's social function. That's a really interesting point. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, thinking about it beyond just aesthetics reveals another facet to art creation.