Maria met kind en de heilige Lucas 1660 - 1692

Editor: This is "Maria met kind en de heilige Lucas" by Pietro Aquila, made between 1660 and 1692. It’s an engraving. It has a really ethereal feel to it with the light and the figures floating on clouds. What strikes me most is the image of St. Luke painting the Virgin and Child. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, considering its time, this print acts as a commentary on the very role of art and the artist. Look at Saint Luke; he is depicted as both artist and evangelist. In the 17th century, prints like these played a significant role in disseminating religious iconography. Does it strike you as staged or natural? Editor: Staged, definitely. The figures are posed, and everything feels very deliberate, especially how the Virgin and Child are literally idealized subjects within Luke’s painting. Curator: Exactly. So, what statement is made? Consider the politics of imagery at the time. Religious images were powerful tools, and their creation wasn't just about aesthetics but also about reinforcing faith and authority. Editor: So, by showing St. Luke painting, Aquila highlights the *act* of creation as something divinely inspired, almost like legitimizing religious art itself. Curator: Precisely. The institution of the church, the patronage system, and even the artistic academies of the time, all had a stake in defining and controlling religious imagery. Think about who this print would have circulated amongst, and its use in confirming already entrenched viewpoints. This engraving showcases not just piety but also the role of art in expressing power dynamics. Editor: I see it now! It’s a window into how art was used to reinforce the Church’s narrative, and the artist's role in that process. Thanks! Curator: And seeing that process can alter our perceptions of faith in this and other artworks too.