Portret van Christian Gottlieb Selle 1780 - 1814

Editor: Here we have "Portret van Christian Gottlieb Selle" which historians believe was made between 1780 and 1814 by Medardus Thoenert. It's an engraving, a print. It feels… very formal. Almost austere in its presentation. What do you see in this piece, beyond the surface level? Curator: Looking at Thoenert’s engraving of Selle, it’s crucial to consider the production process and how it speaks to social status. Engravings, though reproducible, required skilled labor. This wasn't mass production as we understand it; each print still carried the mark of the artisan's hand. The consumption of such an image was equally important, reflecting Selle’s own standing as a professor. Editor: So, the act of creating and owning the portrait reinforced existing power structures? Curator: Precisely! Consider the materiality of the engraving itself—the paper, the ink, the copperplate. These are not neutral elements. Access to quality materials, the engraver’s skill, and even the distribution networks, all highlight the economic and social capital at play. Does this challenge our traditional views of art being purely aesthetic? Editor: Definitely. I usually focus on the subject and the artist's intentions, but thinking about the labour and materials opens up a whole new way to understand the piece and the world it came from. Curator: And remember, challenging these established "high art" and craft boundaries helps expose often overlooked social stratifications of production. Editor: Thanks, that’s a very insightful perspective. I’ll definitely be paying more attention to the material aspects of art going forward. Curator: Wonderful, it's all about the journey of art!