Jakob Philipp Hackert c. 19th century

Curator: This is Ernst Morace’s rendering of Jakob Philipp Hackert, presently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of calm authority; that oval framing contains him, but he seems composed and self-assured. Curator: Indeed. The printmaking process itself, with its reliance on skilled labor and reproducible images, allowed for widespread dissemination of Hackert's image. Think about the socio-economic implications! Editor: Consider the subject, Jakob Philipp Hackert, whose gaze holds the weight of history, of landscapes painted and stories untold. He seems to embody Enlightenment ideals. Curator: The materiality of the paper, the ink, the press—these elements speak to a culture of production and consumption in late 18th century Europe. Editor: It makes you wonder about the stories embedded within the image that can bridge eras. Curator: Absolutely. It's all about how the artist uses materials to communicate within his social context. Editor: I agree; it's in that cultural exchange that we truly understand the art.