Officier te paard met twee soldaten 1573

Curator: This engraving, "Officier te paard met twee soldaten" by Jost Amman, dating back to 1573, is a remarkable object. What are your initial thoughts on it? Editor: I'm struck by how incredibly detailed it is for an engraving. The cross-hatching creates a surprising amount of depth, almost like a painting, and the framing really caught my eye with the armaments. What's most interesting to you about the piece? Curator: As a materialist, I immediately consider the social context of printmaking. The very act of creating multiple copies makes it more accessible than unique paintings for wealthy buyers. And, look closer - consider the role of labor involved in both the creation of the original image and in the repetitive act of printing. How does the print medium influence the perception of this officer's power? Editor: I see what you mean. Printmaking makes it a more democratic form. It feels almost like propaganda, a way to project an image of military strength to a wider audience. Curator: Exactly! Consider, too, the materials—the paper, the ink, the metal plate. Each one carefully sourced, manufactured, and combined. Notice how the line work creates texture. Think about how the artisan controls his tools and, thus, how the image is distributed for consumption. Do you think that is related to our officer's station? Editor: So the *process* itself, not just the image, reflects the power dynamics of the time? I had always considered just the subject matter and not considered where all of the ingredients were gathered. Curator: Precisely. The labor, the materials, the very method of dissemination all point to a complex system of production and consumption that reinforces social structures. Editor: That’s fascinating; I will consider how printing this illustration can further enhance the propaganda element rather than a portrait captured on painting. I am going to explore how this changes the message being distributed. Thanks for sharing your expertise.