Portret van de dichter en classicus David Jacob van Lennep 1860s - 1870s

Editor: So, here we have a portrait of David Jacob van Lennep, the poet and classicist. It’s from the 1860s or 70s, rendered as an engraving. It has a very formal, almost stern feel to it, but what strikes me is how meticulously detailed the printmaking is. What's your take? Curator: The level of detail indeed is remarkable, but let's consider the societal context. Engravings like these served a very specific purpose; they democratized access to portraiture. How did the availability of prints, in comparison to painting, change portraiture as a signifier of status? Editor: That's a good point. Making art accessible also gives value to it, although not monetary value. Curator: Exactly. Think of the labor involved. This wasn't just about artistic vision, but skilled craftsmanship. Consider the division of labor; were printmakers viewed as artists or artisans? How did the market for these portraits affect the working conditions of engravers? The cost of engraving materials versus the price the final work generated... This print shows us a very intricate and deliberate social framework through the making of it. Editor: I see, so by looking at the print itself, the materials used, and the process, we can start to unravel a whole web of social and economic relationships during that time. Did printmakers see themselves as artists or more as someone who reproduced it? Curator: That's precisely the question we should be asking. We need to move beyond aesthetic judgments and delve into the art's production process and how the artists involved were situated in a stratified world. It offers a much richer perspective. Editor: I definitely will keep the work and labour in mind from now on. Thank you! Curator: It changes our entire perception when we focus on the labor behind the artwork. Glad to share that point of view with you.