Typist [from ‘Matter and Memory’] Possibly 1944 - 1945

Editor: This is Jean Dubuffet’s print, "Typist," from his series ‘Matter and Memory.’ The rough texture of the figure and machine is really striking. What does it reveal about the labor involved in creating this image? Curator: Well, look closely at the etching process. The marks aren't delicate, are they? This roughness, this near-violence inflicted on the plate, mirrors the repetitive, often dehumanizing labor of the typist. Dubuffet isn't just depicting a subject; he's implicating the means of production. It's about labor, both hers and his. Editor: So, the material process emphasizes a connection between different types of work? Curator: Precisely. The printmaking process becomes a commentary on the alienation inherent in industrialized tasks, questioning the value assigned to different forms of making. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. The material connects to the message. Curator: Indeed. Considering the materials helps reveal the social commentary embedded in Dubuffet's work.