Jefferson c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Joseph Andrews' "Jefferson." It's a print, and the detail achieved is quite remarkable. How do you approach a piece like this, considering the social context of its production? Curator: Let's consider the material reality: a print, likely mass-produced. How does that impact its accessibility and therefore its potential social impact? Was it intended for a wide audience, shaping public perception of Jefferson? Editor: So, the medium itself is part of the message, influencing who could own and see it? Curator: Precisely. Who had access to printed images at this time, and what did that mean for the dissemination of ideas? Think about the labor involved, the printing process, the economy of image-making. Editor: It makes you think about how different it is from, say, an oil painting, in terms of audience and intention. Curator: Exactly. Examining the material conditions opens up a rich understanding of the work's place in society. Editor: I'll definitely look at prints with a different perspective from now on!