Guardian Angel c. 17th century

Curator: This is "Guardian Angel" by Jonas Umbach, who lived from 1624 to 1693. What stands out to you? Editor: The etching feels quite turbulent, with dense lines giving it a dramatic, almost anxious atmosphere. Curator: Yes, and the process of etching itself—the labor involved in creating these lines—contributes to that feeling. Think about the repeated action of applying acid resist and scratching the image. Editor: Considering the religious context of the time, could it reflect anxieties about faith or divine intervention amidst social upheavals? Curator: Perhaps. The availability of prints also meant religious imagery was becoming more accessible, a commodity really. Editor: It's a powerful reminder of how art is both a product of its time and a tool for shaping it. Curator: Indeed, a dialogue between the sacred and the societal.