Børne Musick 1774

Editor: Here we have Michael Rössler's "Børne Musick" from 1774, an etching and engraving. It depicts two young boys, one playing a flute and the other holding what appear to be reeds. There's something almost dreamlike about the scene, despite the formality of the clothing. What stands out to you about this print? Curator: What interests me is how the very act of creating this image, the specific techniques of etching and engraving, connects to the socio-economic realities of the time. Think about the labor involved. The production of prints like this facilitated wider circulation, moving artistic expression beyond the elite and towards a broader, emerging middle class, creating both an artistic product, and documenting the lives of royalty, to some extent. Who had access to these images and how might that affect how they understood the depicted people? Editor: So you're saying that the printmaking process democratizes art to some extent, creating new consumers of imagery? The tools required to make this would be more accessible, but were these images for all classes? Curator: Exactly. Though "democratizes" might be too strong. We have to consider the distribution networks. These prints, even though more accessible than paintings, were still commodities. And what about the role of the printmaker, Rössler, himself? Was he commissioned? What was his social standing? Did he choose the royal children for commercial goals? How did it affect the social dynamics in the moment? Thinking about the labor of production allows us to read beyond just the surface image. Editor: That’s fascinating. It completely changes how I look at it. It’s not just about the boys and their music, but the system that allowed this image to exist. Curator: Precisely! It’s about understanding art as a product of its material conditions. Editor: I’ll definitely be looking at art with new questions now. Thank you!