Leonardo da Vinci c. 19th century

Curator: We are looking at an engraving by Pietro Anderloni, who was born in 1785. The print is titled "Leonardo da Vinci." Editor: He looks like a prophet, stern and knowing, set within this tight oval. Curator: Note the engraving technique here. Anderloni really emphasizes Da Vinci as a man of labor, a craftsman. Editor: Absolutely, and what of the symbols? The beard, the head covering. It's a presentation of wisdom, of age. It feels like we are meant to see him as more than just a painter. Curator: I think the materiality of this print is important. It democratizes the image of Leonardo, putting him within the reach of many through mass production. Editor: A fascinating intersection, indeed. A symbol of genius reproduced for the masses. Curator: It makes you consider how the image of an artist becomes its own commodity. Editor: A potent reminder of the power of enduring images.