Duke Johann Ernst of Saxony 15th-16th century

Editor: This is a portrait of Duke Johann Ernst of Saxony. It's an interesting print, anonymous artist, so we don't know exactly when it was made or the materials used. The details of his clothing seem so meticulously crafted. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Considering it's a print, think about the labor involved. This wasn't unique like a painting; it was reproducible. What does that say about the intended audience and the distribution of power and status in representing Duke Johann Ernst? Editor: So, the medium itself speaks to social structures. I guess I hadn't thought about that. The coat of arms, his clothing, all become reproducible commodities. Curator: Precisely. And what materials were used? How accessible would those have been? The answers tell us about consumption and the economics of image-making at the time. Editor: That's a completely different way of looking at it! I'll definitely keep that in mind. Curator: It makes you consider artmaking as a system rather than just an individual expression.