Murder of the Princes in the Tower c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francis Legat's "Murder of the Princes in the Tower." It's an engraving, and the stark contrast of light and shadow definitely creates a dramatic effect. What's striking to you about the production of this piece? Curator: The printmaking process itself is key. Engraving allowed for mass production, thus democratizing this historical narrative. Consider the labor involved, the tools used – the burin, the copperplate – and how these materials shaped the image's circulation and consumption. Editor: So the choice of engraving itself influences the impact. Curator: Precisely. It moves the subject matter beyond the elite and into wider society, which would have affected how people thought about their monarchy and the historical narrative depicted. What do you think this accessibility brought to the historical moment? Editor: I never considered how the mechanics of creating art influence reception so profoundly. Thanks!