Afgunst (Invidia) 1619 - 1675

Editor: This is "Afgunst (Invidia)," which translates to "Envy," attributed to Lucas Vorsterman I, created sometime between 1619 and 1675. It looks like an engraving. The figure has such a visceral, almost grotesque quality to it. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: What grabs me is how this image operates within the visual economy of its time. This wasn’t a unique design, but rather part of a series, likely reproduced and widely disseminated as a print. Let’s consider the physical production: the labor of the engraver, the cost of materials, and the social function of images like this in shaping public perception of vices. Do you think this method affects the symbolism behind "Invidia?" Editor: That’s a great point. I was just focusing on the individual artistry, but you're right. It must be connected to consumption of the work. Is the printing technique part of its statement, then? Is Vorsterman saying something by depicting Envy this way and choosing to reproduce it? Curator: Precisely! Think about the market for prints in 17th-century Europe. These images circulated amongst various social classes, serving as moral instruction and social commentary. The reproducible nature of the medium implicates broader networks of labor and exchange, influencing cultural values. This particular presentation suggests envy as something common, reproduced even, impacting all. It's not just about art, but about labor, economy, and social structure. Editor: Wow, that completely reframes how I see the piece. The method is the message, so to speak. Thanks for connecting the art to its material existence! Curator: Exactly. By exploring the material conditions of artistic production, we understand how art reflects and reinforces social power. There's so much more to engravings than what meets the eye.