Sigismonda Possibly 1795

Benjamin Smith created this print, "Sigismonda," using engraving, a process of carving an image into a metal plate, in the late 18th or early 19th century. Engraving is a laborious practice involving intense concentration and highly specialized skills. The process is rooted in craft traditions, contrasting with the fine arts, which were regarded as superior. Here, Smith engages with traditions beyond fine art by using engraving, historically associated with more utilitarian purposes. The very act of engraving imbues "Sigismonda" with social significance because it speaks to issues of labor and class. Smith's print challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by using a handcrafted process to reproduce a painting, thereby democratizing access to imagery for a wider audience. So, by considering the material, making, and context of Smith's engraving, we gain a fuller appreciation of its artistic and cultural value.