Extreme Unction c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jean Pesne's "Extreme Unction," and I'm struck by its theatrical presentation of death. Editor: It’s somber, undeniably, but look at how the artist directs our gaze. Pesne uses dramatic lighting and grouping to focus on the act of anointing. What do we know about the production? Curator: Pesne, who lived from 1623 to 1700, most likely approached this as a reproduction. The printmaking process itself--the labor involved-- would have allowed the image to circulate and reach a wider audience. Editor: Indeed. The etching's linear precision, the careful cross-hatching, it all contributes to the scene's gravity. The composition leads our eye through the grieving figures to the central figure of the dying man. Curator: And consider the social context. Images like these reinforced religious doctrine, disseminating beliefs about death and salvation to populations perhaps unable to read. Editor: It's a powerful piece, regardless of its original function, really. Curator: Absolutely. Looking at the labor involved in creating this print gives a lot of appreciation for the work of Jean Pesne.