Wapenschild geflankeerd door putti 1723 - 1767

Editor: Here we have Jacob Folkema's "Wapenschild geflankeerd door putti," an engraving dating from 1723-1767. The detail achieved through the engraving technique is remarkable, almost tactile. What significance do you see in this specific choice of printmaking? Curator: Well, considering this was likely a mass-produced item, possibly intended to commemorate a family or event, the engraving medium becomes really interesting. It allows for relatively easy reproduction, embedding the depicted family into a wider material and social network. It wasn't about individual artistry as much as creating a standardized object for consumption. Editor: So, the choice of engraving shifts the focus from artistic expression to broader social and economic contexts? Curator: Precisely! Think about the labour involved: the engraver meticulously translating an image onto a plate, the printing process itself, and the distribution. These prints democratized access to heraldry, previously only held by the very wealthiest, albeit on a very small scale. How might the relatively accessible materiality of this print impacted public perception of nobility? Editor: That's fascinating. It reframes how we view "art" – not as an exclusive object, but as a product of labor and a tool for social positioning. Curator: Exactly. And by examining the material reality of its creation, distribution, and consumption, we can gain a richer understanding of the era's values and the ever-evolving relationship between art, labour, and class. It helps to reveal the means of production behind these symbolic items. Editor: I’ve certainly learned to look at engravings through a new lens, valuing not just the imagery, but the entire material ecosystem that supports it.