Nicolas Coeffeteau, Bishop of Dardanie c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Gérard Edelinck's portrait of Nicolas Coeffeteau, Bishop of Dardanie. The detail achieved through the printmaking process is impressive! What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Consider the engraver’s labor, the copper plate meticulously worked to create reproducible images. This wasn't just art; it was a means of disseminating power and influence through readily available portraits. Editor: So, the print served a purpose beyond aesthetics? Curator: Precisely. The Bishop’s image becomes a commodity, circulated and consumed. It underscores the intersection of religious authority, material production, and early forms of mass media. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered before. Curator: It changes how we understand the work, doesn't it?