Gehoor 1590 - 1632

Editor: This is "Gehoor," a print made between 1590 and 1632, attributed to Pieter de Jode I. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The engraving depicts figures in a landscape, and I'm struck by the intricate detail achieved with just lines. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a deliberate articulation of labor and materiality. The very act of engraving, a process of controlled destruction and recreation of the plate, mirrors the image's allegory. Notice the contrast between the classical subject matter—Apollo and the Muses—and the very real, painstaking work required to produce this print. The availability and cost of paper, the skill of the engraver, the system of patronage that allowed its creation... all of these elements contribute to the artwork's meaning. Editor: So, you're saying that the value isn’t just in the scene, but in understanding how it came to be? The labour of creating it as well as the price of the paper? Curator: Precisely. Consider the Baroque style. What was the material culture that supported the baroque style and its patrons? These prints often circulated widely, democratizing access to images, but who *actually* had access and why? Also consider the function of a print in the context of book production; in regards to allegorical imagery. Does the allegorical context alter its materiality or use? Editor: That makes me think about the labour required to produce this work in series, which goes into creating it and affects it's cultural consumption... Wow! Now that is a lot more to hear in it than was originally apparent. Thank you. Curator: The dialogue between labor, materials, and symbolism creates a richer appreciation for the artwork.