The Triumph of Mordecai c. 1641

Editor: This is Rembrandt van Rijn's "The Triumph of Mordecai," an etching. I’m struck by the incredible detail achieved in this small print; how did Rembrandt create such intricate lines? Curator: Focus on the etching process reveals much. The labor involved in creating the plate, the biting of the acid, the inking and printing – all of these steps, and their potential imperfections, affect the final product and its reception. How does the print's materiality speak to ideas of accessibility and distribution in Rembrandt's time? Editor: So the process of creating it influenced its value and accessibility? Curator: Precisely. Considering the socio-economic factors of printmaking allows us to understand its impact beyond just aesthetic appreciation. It makes you wonder about Rembrandt's intended audience and how they might have perceived the work, right?