Sir Walter Scott, Bart c. 19th century

Editor: This is John Horsburgh’s portrait of "Sir Walter Scott, Bart" at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a very detailed print and I’m struck by the textures - the fabric of his coat, the papers on the table. What’s your take on this, especially regarding its materiality? Curator: Consider the printmaking process itself. Engraving demands specific tools, skills, and time. The proliferation of such images speaks volumes about the rising merchant class's desire to emulate the aristocracy and their consumption habits. It transforms Scott into a commodity. Editor: So, the print becomes a symbol of status through the labor involved in its creation? Curator: Precisely! The materials and labor aren’t just about aesthetics; they're embedded in a network of social and economic power. What does its existence say about authorship and the consumption of images in that era? Editor: It’s interesting to see how this print, designed to be reproduced, democratizes Scott’s image while reinforcing social hierarchies. Thanks! Curator: A fascinating interplay, isn’t it? It highlights how the very act of making and possessing art is intertwined with its social significance.