Beggar c. 18th century

Editor: So, this etching, "Beggar" by Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, dates to 1764. It feels a bit raw and immediate. What do you see in this piece, considering the materials and the process of its creation? Curator: The etching process itself is key. Think about the labor: the acid biting into the metal, the multiple stages of inking and printing. The beggar isn't just a subject; his image is born from a physical, almost industrial, act. Editor: Industrial? That's interesting. Curator: Well, in the sense that it's a reproducible image, a commodity. How does the act of making multiples change our understanding of the beggar's plight? Is it commentary on social class, or perhaps just art for the market? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It makes me consider who could afford this print and what they might do with it. Thanks for shedding some light! Curator: Absolutely! Thinking about art as a product of labor and material conditions opens up a whole new perspective.