Venus and Adonis c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Raphael Sadeler the Younger's engraving, Venus and Adonis. The detail is incredible! What do you notice about the production of this print? Curator: The lines, the labor... Consider the social context of printmaking at the time. This wasn't just art, it was a commodity, a means of disseminating ideas. The materiality of the copper plate itself and the process of its engraving – it speaks to a whole system of production and consumption. Editor: That's fascinating. So it's not just about the myth, but the means of making it accessible? Curator: Exactly. The print exists because of a complex network of workshops, materials, and economic exchange. Seeing it this way enriches our understanding. Editor: I'll never look at an engraving the same way again!