Portret van keizerin Maria Theresia c. 1774

Editor: So, this is a portrait of Empress Maria Theresa, engraved by Louis Jacques Cathelin around 1774. The detail in the engraving is quite striking, and it's interesting how the texture gives almost a tactile quality to the image. What's your take on it? Curator: From a materialist perspective, consider the engraver’s labor. Cathelin was essentially reproducing an image, a royal image at that, through a highly skilled craft. How does the act of engraving, a reproducible medium, impact our understanding of the Empress’s power? Think of the societal role of printmaking; It creates relatively cheap access to political images and influence via the production process. Editor: That’s interesting! I hadn’t thought about the act of reproduction itself being significant. How would this have been consumed? Curator: Well, engravings like this were circulated widely. Think of them as a form of early mass media, used to disseminate the image of the Empress and solidify her power. These were luxury items made cheap, available for consumption and contemplation in both private collections and public displays, creating cultural meaning of production on a grand scale. Notice how she’s framed by symbols of power: the laurel wreath, the imperial crest. How are these crafted? What material signs of power are apparent to you? Editor: I see the laurel wreath now... And it's interesting to think about the deliberate craft of these symbols, designed for mass consumption and recognition. It reframes the artwork and what it depicts. Curator: Precisely. And by recognizing that labour and access we acknowledge its importance. What have you observed? Editor: I see that this engraving isn’t just a portrait, it's a statement, expertly crafted for widespread distribution and the propagation of power. Thanks for explaining. Curator: And by understanding its function you acknowledge this engraving's history and materiality beyond representation.