Tower of S. Michael's, Brussels c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have John Coney's "Tower of S. Michael's, Brussels," a print with a detailed cityscape. The craftsmanship seems quite impressive. What draws your attention to this piece? Curator: The etching technique immediately speaks to the labor involved. Consider the social context: prints like these were commodities, reproduced and consumed. How does this availability affect our perception of the subject matter itself? Editor: So, you're saying the means of production is as important as the tower itself? Curator: Precisely! The materiality of the print—the paper, the ink, the etching process—shapes our understanding of Brussels, turning a monumental structure into a tangible, reproducible object of consumption. Editor: That gives me a whole new way to appreciate the artistry involved.