Portret van Johann Gottfried von Meiern 1736

Editor: Here we have Johann Martin Bernigeroth's "Portret van Johann Gottfried von Meiern" from 1736, held at the Rijksmuseum. It's an engraving, and the detail is just incredible. The texture achieved through lines is what catches my eye. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Considering this print, I’m immediately drawn to the materiality of its production. The intricate engraving suggests a highly skilled artisan. Each line is deliberate, each mark representing labor and time. Think about the engraver's workshop, the tools they used, the physical demands of the craft. How does the mass reproducibility of prints, a new media at that time, change art consumption and the market for images like these? Editor: That's a great point. It wasn't painting; so more people could have access. I hadn’t considered that. The details become more intriguing when considering the means of production and distribution of similar images back then. The man depicted, Johann Gottfried von Meiern, seems important – judging by his posture and clothing – and that could give the work social meaning. Curator: Exactly. Look at the clothing depicted and try to analyse the type of materials represented by the print. Now analyze who has access to those type of cloths at the time, and try to find a relation to this print being an "easy-access" kind of media. Could it be a form of early-stage marketing? Editor: I think I understand a bit more now. I was just focusing on the image itself, but seeing it as the product of labor within a specific economic system provides new context. Curator: And remember, it’s not just about the final product, but about uncovering the hidden labor, economic systems, and societal values embedded within its materiality. This unveils so much regarding its true nature. Editor: Right. Seeing it this way really shifts my understanding of the work and helps bring it into a modern day perspective. Thanks!