Captivity c. 19th century

Editor: So, here we have Edward Goodall's work, "Captivity." It's a small, rather somber drawing. I am curious about what’s behind the title. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, I see paper, and ink, and the hand of the artist. Consider how the mass production of such materials, accessible even then, democratized the image. Was "captivity" a critique of industrial labor, or of the subject represented? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered the materials themselves as part of the statement. Curator: Or the intended market, the consumers of these images. What did owning this image mean to them? Editor: It gives a completely new dimension to the title and the artwork. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that even drawings are tied to systems of production and consumption.