James Bradley Thayer 19th-20th century

Editor: This is a print of James Bradley Thayer by Sidney L. Smith, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The etching feels very meticulous and academic. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This etching, like others from the period, reflects a cultural fascination with portraiture and the means of reproducing it. The very act of etching, and the labor involved, elevates the sitter and the print itself. Editor: So the process becomes part of the meaning? Curator: Precisely. The materials, the etching process, and the social standing of the sitter all contribute to the value we assign it. It makes you think about who had access to these processes. Editor: I never considered the accessibility before! Curator: Thinking about the who, how, and why of art production helps to unpack its cultural significance.