Jean Baptiste Oudry c. 18th century

Curator: This is a print of Jean Baptiste Oudry, made by his wife, Marie Marguerite Oudry. The etching and engraving give a formality to the presentation of the tools beneath the portrait. Editor: The overall impression is quite intimate, though. The guitar, the scattered papers with music... it all feels very personal. Curator: Consider that the print medium itself suggests a wider distribution and, therefore, a wider appreciation of Oudry's work. The labor of reproduction, transforming painting to print, becomes a form of cultural promotion. Editor: The guitar seems symbolic, perhaps of harmony or even the muse of music. The way it's nestled with the books suggests a connection between the arts. Curator: And indeed, it's her labor, her skill in reproducing his image and artistic context, that spreads Oudry's fame. Editor: It's a lovely tribute, a testament to their personal and professional lives. Curator: A lovely glimpse into the labor of artistic partnership.