Samuel Garth c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have John Simon's portrait of "Samuel Garth". I'm struck by the texture of the wig and velvet coat, they seem to almost overwhelm the sitter. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Look closely at the printmaking process itself. The mezzotint technique allowed for rich tonal gradations, but consider the labor involved. Each tiny dot meticulously created to produce these textures we admire. Editor: So, the value is in the skill of the artisan? Curator: Exactly! And how that skill elevates the status of the sitter. This isn’t just about likeness; it’s about demonstrating wealth and status through painstaking production. It makes you think about the market for these prints, doesn’t it? Editor: Absolutely! I’ll definitely be thinking more about the labor behind the art. Curator: Indeed, materiality shapes meaning, and vice versa.