Geoffrey Chaucer 1741

Editor: This is a portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer by Jacobus Houbraken. I'm struck by the detailed engraving, the way the image seems to be emerging from stone. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look at the depiction of Chaucer, framed within what appears to be a carved stone surround. Consider the labor involved in both the physical engraving process and the social construction of Chaucer's image as a literary figure. How does the printmaking medium democratize access to this image, compared to, say, an oil painting? Editor: That’s interesting. I guess prints allowed for wider distribution of Chaucer's image and work, impacting his readership. Curator: Precisely. And think about the paper itself, its production, its value as a commodity—it all contributes to understanding the artwork's role in a broader economic and cultural landscape. Editor: I hadn't considered the material implications of that. Thanks!