Mary, Queen of Scots c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is Léopold Massard's portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The printmaking itself seems very delicate. What can you tell me about the materials and processes used here? Curator: Well, consider the printmaking process itself. The labor involved in creating multiple impressions democratizes the image, making it accessible beyond the elite. How does this impact our understanding of Mary's image and her consumption by the public? Editor: That's fascinating! It makes me think about how portraits shape public perception. Curator: Exactly. The choice of materials, like the paper and ink, and the method of reproduction, transform a royal figure into a commodity, subject to market forces and popular interpretation. Editor: I never thought about portraiture in terms of production like that. Curator: Thinking about art through the lens of its material existence really reshapes how we understand its role in society, doesn't it?