Pines in the Water c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Allart van Everdingen's "Pines in the Water," an etching. The detail is amazing; you can almost feel the dampness in the air. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I’m interested in the labor involved in creating such detail with etching techniques. Consider the social context: who had access to these landscapes and how did they consume them through prints? The materiality speaks to a specific kind of viewership. Editor: So, it's less about the scene depicted and more about the process and who could afford to enjoy it? Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to consider the socio-economic factors at play in art production and consumption during that period. We must look at the means of production. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure; it's vital to go beyond the surface.