Death of Archimede c. 19th century

Editor: Here we see Ernst Morace's "Death of Archimedes," an engraving. It’s so stark, the contrast really highlighting the violence. What are your thoughts on this piece? Curator: The act of engraving itself, the labor involved in its precise replication, contrasts sharply with the instantaneous violence depicted. Consider how this image reproduces and circulates ideas about knowledge, power, and the cost of intellectual pursuits within its contemporary society. Editor: That's interesting, looking at it as a product of its time. Curator: Indeed. Think about the economics of art production in Morace's era; what does choosing this subject matter, and this medium, say about the intended audience and its values? Editor: I never thought about it that way, it's more than just the image. Curator: Precisely. It's about understanding the material and social conditions of its creation and consumption.