The Defeat of Darius at Arbela 1674

Editor: This print, "The Defeat of Darius at Arbela" by Gérard Audran, depicts a chaotic battle scene. It's incredible how much detail Audran was able to achieve, especially considering the size of the sheet. What can you tell me about the making of this piece? Curator: Look closely at the lines, the hatching and cross-hatching. Audran was celebrated for his skill as an engraver. His workshop reproduced history paintings. Consider the labor involved. Each line meticulously carved into a metal plate, a process both technical and physical. How does the print medium itself shape our understanding of this historical event? Editor: So, the process of engraving emphasizes the *craft* of artmaking as much as the subject matter? Curator: Precisely! It invites us to consider the means of production, the marketplace for prints, and how this imagery circulated in society. It's not just about the battle, but about how that battle was made and consumed. What do you make of that? Editor: Fascinating, I never considered the socio-economic context of printmaking before, only the image itself! Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to see beyond the heroic narrative and examine the underlying materiality and labor.