Letter 1762

Curator: This is "Letter," an engraving by Johann Georg Wille. It depicts a domestic interior filled with figures. The technique, *à la pointe sèche*, allows for extremely fine, delicate lines. Editor: The composition strikes me as quite charming, almost sentimental. The light seems to focus on the figures, creating a sense of warmth. Curator: Indeed. Wille was renowned for capturing everyday life, and this piece is no exception. Consider the labour involved in printmaking at the time, and its accessibility to a broader audience. Editor: The textures are incredible, though. Notice the contrast between the rough wood and the smooth skin. Semiotically, we can read this contrast as a symbolic representation of social class. Curator: Precisely. And perhaps also the roles within this home. The labour of its members. How their status impacts their lives. Editor: I see how the textures and lines contribute to its deeper meaning. Curator: I appreciate how looking at the materiality draws us into the work’s social landscape.