Vincentius Fabricius c. 17th century

Editor: Here we see Hendrik Bary's portrait of Vincentius Fabricius. It's quite striking, especially the detail achieved through what I assume is an engraving process. What can you tell me about how its materiality informs its meaning? Curator: Considering Bary's engraving, it’s crucial to examine the labor involved. The meticulous process of carving the image into the metal plate, the choices of line weight and density – how do these choices reflect the social status of both the artist and the sitter, Fabricius? Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but about the work and the materials that went into making it? Curator: Precisely. The print becomes a commodity, distributed and consumed. The very act of reproducing Fabricius' image speaks to his position within society, a position reinforced by the skilled labor embedded in the printmaking process. Food for thought, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely, I'll never look at prints the same way!