Adam and Eve 1543

Editor: So, this is Sebald Beham’s "Adam and Eve," printed sometime around 1543. It's a tiny engraving, but the detail is incredible! There's death looming between them. What's your take on this? Curator: Note the sharp lines of the engraving process itself. Beham, like other Little Masters, was part of a larger economic ecosystem producing affordable prints for a burgeoning middle class. How does the materiality of this print shape its message about morality and temptation? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered the role of printmaking in disseminating these ideas. It really changes how you think about the image. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Understanding its production informs its reception and continued impact.