The Great Elector c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Great Elector" by Carl Ernst Forberg, and it looks like it's a print. There's a lot of detail in the rendering of the horse and rider. What can you tell me about how this was made, and why? Curator: The printmaking process itself is crucial. Consider the labor involved in etching or engraving those fine lines. It's a reproduction, meant for wider consumption and dissemination of power. How does this contrast with, say, a unique painted portrait of the Elector? Editor: So, it's about making the image accessible to more people, almost like propaganda through mass production? That's really different from thinking about it as just a portrait. Curator: Exactly. The materiality speaks to its function within the social and political landscape. This print is not just about art; it's about power, labor, and distribution. What did you learn? Editor: I've learned it is about who gets to see the image, not just about what it depicts.