Parade: the Entrance of the Chariots of Africa and Asia 1615

Editor: This intricate print by Jacques Callot, titled "Parade: the Entrance of the Chariots of Africa and Asia," really captures a spectacle. I'm struck by the sheer amount of labor that must have gone into both the event and its depiction. What do you see in this piece, considering the material conditions of its creation? Curator: I see the etching primarily as a record of production, but also consumption. The very act of Callot meticulously engraving this scene, the press churning out copies, speaks to the material reality of courtly entertainment. How does this spectacle reinforce the Grand Duke's power through displays of wealth and imported goods? Editor: So, you're saying it's not just about the artistic skill, but about the process and the resources involved? That's fascinating. Curator: Precisely. Consider also the paper itself, its sourcing and distribution. Callot’s print makes visible the elaborate material networks underpinning the Duke’s power. Editor: I never considered the paper itself as part of the message. Thank you.