H. Franciscus van Assisi 1586 - 1650

Editor: This is "H. Franciscus van Assisi," an engraving by Cornelis Galle I, created sometime between 1586 and 1650. The detail in the rendering of fabric and skin is astonishing, but there's a certain...grimness to it, isn't there? The skull next to the book... What strikes you most about this print? Curator: The "grimness," as you call it, stems from a very deliberate use of materials to convey the stark realities of human existence, filtered through a religious lens. Look at the linear quality achieved via engraving: this is not painting aiming at naturalism, but an artisanal mode. How does Galle leverage the material properties of engraving to propagate the ideologies of poverty and devotion? Editor: That's fascinating – how the medium itself reinforces the message. So, the choice of engraving over, say, painting, emphasizes the labor and process...and therefore the virtue of hard work? Curator: Precisely. And consider the role of prints at this time – a relatively affordable method of disseminating imagery, making this representation of Saint Francis and his message accessible. Think about how Galle skillfully uses the engraving technique – the precise lines and controlled shading – to underscore a message celebrating simplicity and religious devotion. How is consumption and access at play in shaping Baroque audiences? Editor: I see. So, the material production of this work directly ties into its social function – making religious iconography accessible and promoting specific values. Curator: Exactly. The interplay between materials, production, and the message it communicates creates a multi-layered meaning that is rooted in the culture of that period. Understanding the process offers an interesting view into the social role this imagery served. Editor: That's given me so much to consider about how artists of this period were involved with material choices. I'm left seeing engraving and Baroque in a completely different light!