Maria met het Christuskind, H. Bernardinus van Siena en H. Hieronymus 1501 - 1580

Giulio Bonasone made this engraving of the Virgin and Child with Saints Bernardino of Siena and Jerome, sometime in the mid-16th century. It presents a conventional religious scene, yet the print medium itself invites us to consider the broader social context. Prints like this, produced in Italy at this time, played a crucial role in disseminating artistic ideas. Bonasone, though not as celebrated today as some of his contemporaries, contributed to a network of artists and publishers. These people helped circulate visual imagery throughout Europe. This was prior to modern photography and mass media. Studying Bonasone's engraving can reveal insights into the period's religious beliefs. It also reveals the developing art market and the increasing accessibility of art to wider audiences. The historian uses a range of resources - archival documents, catalogues, and other period writings - to understand the conditions of its production. Understanding these social and institutional contexts, we get a fuller appreciation of its historical significance.