Landschap met twee ganzen die hun jongen verdedigen 1670 - 1724

Editor: So, this is “Landscape with Two Geese Defending Their Young,” a drawing by Jan Griffier I, made sometime between 1670 and 1724. It's incredibly detailed for an ink and etching piece! There's so much activity... What strikes you most about it? Curator: The relationship between the work's materiality and its depiction of labour is really interesting. Griffier used readily available materials, like ink and etching plates, to create this pastoral scene. But think about the unseen labour: the engraver meticulously translating the scene, the paper maker producing the support. How does the ready availability of such images influence their perceived value? Editor: That’s an interesting perspective – thinking about the labor involved. I hadn't considered how much work goes into creating the image beyond the artist's hand. The level of detail for reproduction seems so high. Curator: Exactly. This wasn't about singular genius, but a whole network of skilled makers contributing to its production and dissemination. How do you think the material choices impact its accessibility to the public? Was it intended for wide distribution, or a more exclusive market? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but you are right. The accessibility probably opened it to a wider market and therefore reach. Thinking about this piece not just as art, but also as a product of labor and consumption changes everything. Curator: Indeed. Reflecting on how economic forces shaped its creation encourages a more holistic view. Editor: Absolutely. I learned to see the piece as part of a broader economic and social context, rather than simply as a standalone image.