Marble vase with dogs as handles and marble vase with relief of a wolf 1769 - 1778

Curator: Let’s delve into these engravings, shall we? Giovanni Battista Piranesi created them between 1769 and 1778. They depict marble vases, highlighting details like dog handles and wolf reliefs. Editor: These engravings are incredibly detailed. I’m drawn to the stark contrast in the images and the somewhat odd choice of animals as decoration. What story can we uncover through these prints? Curator: Let's look at the process. Piranesi wasn't just illustrating vases; he was mediating the consumption of classical ideals for his contemporary audience. Note how the medium, engraving, a relatively accessible mode of reproduction, democratized access to representations of luxury objects previously reserved for the elite. Editor: That's a good point. So, the material of the prints themselves connects with the wider societal context and economic factors that shaped the art world in the late 18th century? Curator: Precisely. Consider the labor involved in producing these prints, compared to the labor required for the original sculptures. What does the act of reproduction reveal about the value placed on craftsmanship and artistic skill in that era? Editor: So, Piranesi isn't just documenting but engaging in a dialogue about value, labor, and the changing nature of art itself, even through something seemingly straightforward like a print. I appreciate this new way of approaching the artwork. Curator: Yes, by focusing on material conditions, we unveil the power dynamics encoded within these beautiful objects. Hopefully you have discovered how studying the processes and techniques gives another layer of context and allows to think beyond the beauty of the art.