Sigismund Feyerabend c. 16th century

Editor: Here's a portrait of Sigismund Feyerabend, made by Johann Sadeler I. It looks like an engraving, dated 1587. What strikes me is the elaborate clothing and how it signifies wealth. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let's consider the materials. The paper, the ink, the tools used to create the engraving, the social and economic status associated with the fur. These things tell us about the production and consumption of images and status in the late 16th century. Feyerabend was a publisher, so how did his role in printing and distributing knowledge affect his social standing? Editor: So the *making* of the image, and the sitter's profession, are key to understanding its meaning? Curator: Precisely. We can see how materials and labor intersect to create meaning in this portrait. Editor: That’s a fresh perspective. I’ll definitely consider the materiality of art more closely from now on.