John Quincy Adams c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Joseph Andrews' portrait of John Quincy Adams. The details, the way the light catches the fabric, are impressive. How would you approach interpreting this piece? Curator: Consider the intaglio process. This wasn't a quick sketch; it was a labor-intensive method of mass production. Think about the social function of portraiture then. It's about the consumption of imagery, the democratization of access to power... Editor: So, it's less about Adams the man and more about the mechanics behind its existence and its wider circulation? Curator: Exactly. How does this image participate in shaping the narrative around Adams and the elite? What does it mean to have his likeness so readily available? Think about the labor involved in its creation and distribution. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. It really reframes how I see the artwork. Curator: Materiality and access change everything.