Carolus Lotharing, dux Maenius c. 17th century

Editor: This engraving, "Carolus Lotharing, dux Maenius," by Dominicus Custos, presents its subject formally. I am curious about the materials and techniques used. What can you tell me about its historical and social context? Curator: Consider the copperplate engraving process itself. Its accessibility allowed for widespread dissemination of images and ideas. How did the production and consumption of prints like this shape the perception of power and nobility in the 16th and 17th centuries? Editor: That's fascinating. So, the medium itself influenced how people viewed figures like Carolus? Curator: Precisely. The print is not just a portrait, but an artifact of a specific mode of production that democratized imagery while simultaneously reinforcing social hierarchies through its subject matter. Is this something you considered? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but it gives me a new perspective on the piece. Thanks. Curator: Indeed, examining the material conditions of art making reveals much about its social function.