Lady Wearing a Large Veil and a Fur-Trimmed Robe c. 17th century

Editor: This etching by Jacques Callot, titled "Lady Wearing a Large Veil and a Fur-Trimmed Robe," has an incredible amount of detail for such a small print. All that fur looks so soft! What stands out to you about this work? Curator: Considering this print, I'm drawn to the economics of attire. Look at the sheer volume of material – the fur trim, the veil. This wasn't just fashion; it was a display of wealth and power tied directly to the production and trade of textiles and furs. How does knowing this change your perspective? Editor: That definitely shifts my focus! I was initially only thinking about the aesthetic qualities, but now I'm thinking about the labor and resources required to create that robe and veil. Curator: Exactly. Callot’s print becomes less about the individual and more about the system that allows such garments to exist. It's about materiality, labor, and ultimately, consumption.