Madonna in a Closed Garden 1450 - 1470

This image of the Madonna in a closed garden was printed on paper by an anonymous artist, and then carefully colored by hand. Look closely and you can see the individual strokes of the printmaking process. The materiality of this piece speaks volumes. Notice the linear quality achieved through the print, a process that lends itself to the graphic arts, rather than painterly effects. This is no precious oil on canvas, but a humble work meant for broader circulation. We can imagine this Madonna produced in multiples, each then given a unique touch through hand-coloring. The material, in other words, facilitates a certain kind of production, and a certain kind of access. The presence of line here is so crucial, defining form and space. It's a reminder that even in devotional imagery, the hand of the maker, and the means of production, are always present. This piece challenges the boundaries between high art and the wider world of craft and design.