Pastoral Amusements c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Pastoral Amusements" by Benoît Audran the Younger, a rather large sheet print from the Harvard Art Museums. The figures are so carefully rendered. What can you tell me about the making of this print and its historical context? Curator: Notice how the engraver’s tools shaped the image – the burin meticulously carving lines into the metal plate. These repeatable images democratized art, making it accessible beyond the elite, influencing social discourse. How does this production method affect your understanding of its subject matter? Editor: I see how the labor involved in creating multiples gives the image another layer of meaning, beyond just the scene depicted. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The print becomes a commodity, reflecting the tastes and values of the society that consumed it.