Plate 8: Man in a hat reading a book with a magnifying glass; from 'Icones ad vivum expressae' after Giovanni Battista Piazzetta 1743

Giovanni Cattini created this print, “Plate 8: Man in a hat reading a book with a magnifying glass,” after an original work by Giovanni Battista Piazzetta. In this period, prints like these played a crucial role in circulating images and ideas, acting as a form of mass media. It's worth noting the details Cattini chose to highlight: the man’s intense focus, the way the light catches his face, the magnifying glass which suggests a deep engagement with the text. There’s an intimacy here, isn’t there? The image reflects the growing value placed on individual intellect and learning during the Enlightenment, but also the privilege associated with literacy and access to knowledge. I wonder about the stories and perspectives that remain unread, unseen in this era, overshadowed by the dominant narratives of the time. Consider the power dynamics inherent in who gets to be a reader, who gets to interpret, and whose stories are deemed worthy of preservation. What does it mean to look closely, and who has the luxury to do so?