Thorwaldsen c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Thorwaldsen" by Samuel Amsler, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a portrait, and I'm struck by the precision of the engraving. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the context. Portrait engravings like this gained popularity because they circulated images widely. How do you think this accessibility might have shaped Thorwaldsen's public image? Editor: I suppose it made him more recognizable, almost like early celebrity culture. The image is controlled and dignified. Curator: Exactly. And this feeds into the 19th-century fascination with artists as almost heroic figures. Amsler is not merely depicting Thorwaldsen; he's solidifying his place in art history through the very act of mass reproduction. Editor: I never thought about the politics of art reproduction that way. Thanks! Curator: It’s about understanding art’s role in shaping collective memory, isn’t it?