John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford 1753

Editor: Here we have Thomas Worlidge's engraving of John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford. The incredible detail suggests a laborious process. I’m curious, what does this emphasis on the means of production tell us about the piece and its context? Curator: This detailed print, meticulously crafted, speaks volumes about the cultural value placed on portraiture at the time and, specifically, the labor-intensive process itself. Notice the quality of the paper, the ink, the sharp lines incised by the engraver's tool. This wasn't a mass-produced image, but rather an exclusive artifact, reflecting Crawford’s status through material display. What do you make of the battle scene depicted at the bottom? Editor: It suggests a heroic narrative, reinforcing his power, but crafted for consumption. It is interesting to think about the economic factors tied to even this image. Curator: Precisely! It’s a commodity, designed to circulate ideas about class, power, and military prowess through its materiality and social context.