Samuel Friedrich Nathaniel Morus c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Friedrich Bause's portrait of Samuel Friedrich Nathaniel Morus. It's undated, but the printmaking is so meticulous. What can you tell me about how this portrait was made? Curator: The engraving process itself is critical here. Think about the labor involved, the craftsman meticulously translating an image into a series of lines etched into a plate. Editor: So, it's less about Bause's artistic vision and more about the material transformation? Curator: Not entirely. The act of engraving itself, the skill required, elevates it beyond mere reproduction. It becomes a commentary on the social status of both the sitter and the maker. Editor: That really changes how I see it. Curator: Indeed, art history is embedded in the materials and processes.