Plate B: Election and Coronation of Emperor Maximilian II 1612

Editor: Here we have "Plate B: Election and Coronation of Emperor Maximilian II," created around 1612, location courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a print, probably an engraving or etching. Looking at the architectural setting, I wonder how much the process of image making played a role in portraying imperial power at the time. What are your thoughts on this work? Curator: This print offers a window into the material construction of power. Look closely at the architectural space depicted. It's not just about showcasing grandeur, but about the labour invested in constructing such settings for displays of authority. Consider the act of engraving itself. The artist meticulously transferred this scene onto a metal plate, which then served as a tool for mass production. How does the reproducibility of this image shape our understanding of Maximilian’s reign and its propagation? Editor: That’s a great point! So the very act of creating multiple copies contributes to disseminating this image of power… Curator: Precisely. And let's consider the social context. Who were the intended consumers of this print? Were they members of the aristocracy, or a broader public? The print functions as a commodity circulating within a specific economic system. Editor: The attention to architectural detail must also speak to the patron's investment, or their kingdom's investment in such physical structures. Curator: It's the materiality of power being emphasized, and the print flattens it all in an attempt to propagate their ideas. Think about the function of Baroque art generally, especially its connection to social hierarchy and status through physical manifestations such as ornate detail, spatial dominance, or rare dyes or metal. Editor: I see now. By focusing on the printmaking process and the consumption of the image, we gain insights beyond the depicted coronation itself. It reveals power relationships inherent in the creation and distribution of this art. Thanks for helping me see that! Curator: Absolutely! Examining the materials and modes of production opens up avenues for understanding power structures within artistic practice itself.