I believe, therefore, that the world is governed by a powerful and wise will c. 18th century

Editor: This is Charles François Adrien Macret's "I believe, therefore, that the world is governed by a powerful and wise will." It's a small print; I am struck by the level of detail achieved with such limited materials. How might we interpret its artistic and cultural value? Curator: Let's consider the etching process. The labour involved in creating the plate, the accessibility of prints versus paintings, and who would consume such imagery. How might this print have functioned within the social fabric of its time? Editor: That's fascinating. Thinking about its production and dissemination gives me a completely different perspective. Curator: Exactly! By analyzing the material conditions, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and impact.