Adam von Bartsch c. 18th century

Curator: Let's consider this portrait of Adam von Bartsch, crafted by Johann Friedrich Leybold. Look at the materials and the meticulous labor involved in creating this print; it underscores Bartsch’s societal position. Editor: He seems very contained, almost stoic within that oval. Did they make everyone look so serious back then? Curator: The act of printing itself was tied to patronage and dissemination of knowledge. It reinforces the idea of Bartsch's role as a key figure in art history and librarianship. Editor: It feels like he's peering out from a very defined frame, like history’s always watching him, which, I suppose, it is now. Curator: Exactly! The very means of its production and consumption speak volumes about 18th century cultural values. Editor: It gives me a funny sense of how permanent some things are, and how quickly others disappear.