[title not known] Possibly 1843

Editor: This is an engraving by John Linnell, from the Tate collection, depicting a classical scene with a hero and a monster. I'm struck by how the stark black and white emphasizes the drama. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the material conditions of printmaking in Linnell's time. How did the availability of different inks or the cost of copper plates influence the scale and distribution of such images? Was this intended for mass consumption or a more elite audience, and how does the imagery reinforce certain class values? Editor: That's a really interesting way to approach it! So, it's less about the myth, and more about the means? Curator: Precisely! The social and economic context of its creation shapes its meaning. What kind of labor went into its making? Editor: I hadn’t considered that! Thanks for pointing out these elements that go beyond the surface of the art.