Man Riding an Ass Along the Shore of a River 1791

Editor: This is "Man Riding an Ass Along the Shore of a River," by J. L. L. C. Zentner. It's a print, seemingly from another era. What strikes me is the depiction of labor here, the man and his donkey moving along the shore. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The etching process itself speaks volumes. Consider the labor-intensive process of creating the plate, the skill required for the mark-making. How does this reproductive technology democratize or control the image's consumption? And who benefits from this depiction of rural life? Editor: So you're focusing on the materials and the means of its making, and the hands involved. I see. Curator: Exactly. It asks us to consider the economics and social structures at play in its production and distribution. What was the social context of this print, and for whom was it intended? Editor: That's a different way to look at it. Now I'm thinking about who could afford this print and why they'd want it. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, examining the materiality and the context offers such fresh perspectives.