Mary Magdalene Washing Christ's Feet c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Friedrich August Ludy’s print, "Mary Magdalene Washing Christ's Feet". The texture created through the printmaking process is really interesting. What stands out to you about the means of its production? Curator: The printmaking process itself speaks to a specific mode of production, where images could be replicated and disseminated widely. Consider the labor involved and how the print challenges traditional, singular artistic creation. Editor: So, the value isn't just in the image, but in its accessibility through the printing process? Curator: Precisely. The print's material existence allows for broader consumption and interaction, shifting our focus from the artist's hand to the social impact of reproduction. Did the cost of this print matter? How many were made? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before! It’s like the message is multiplied through its materiality. Curator: Exactly! The material itself is part of the message.