"The Exiled Angel" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

Editor: This is "The Exiled Angel" from The Complete Works of Béranger, a print by J.J. Grandville, made in 1836. It looks like it's done with very fine lines. What strikes me most is how delicate and detailed the etching is; almost dreamlike, even with the somewhat somber subject matter. What do you make of it? Curator: Looking at the fine lines, the texture created by the engraving, brings attention to the material process behind the work. How might Grandville's choice of printmaking—a technique inherently tied to reproducibility and distribution—affect the perceived value and meaning of the “angel’s exile”? Do you think that choosing print, Grandville aimed to reach a broad audience with the image? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn’t considered the social context of printmaking at the time. If it was easily reproducible, it could circulate and challenge the conventional views on angels. I’d also add that using an engraving might take more time than lithographs, meaning more labour was put into it to create something unique. Curator: Exactly! The laborious process of engraving contradicts our modern ideas about mass production. We need to see this artmaking labor, not just its reproduction. And thinking about materials and class, who had access to prints? How did cost and availability dictate reception and impact on society, do you imagine? Editor: I imagine prints were distributed within a specific socio-economic bubble due to associated costs of owning or circulating them. Thanks for guiding me. I've certainly learned that understanding the means of production opens up new avenues for interpretation. Curator: Indeed. Focusing on the material and production processes allows us a richer understanding of art's role in society.