The Guardian Angel, stepping off a cloud and putting his arm around a young boy at left while a demon walks away at right 1729 - 1740

Editor: This is "The Guardian Angel, stepping off a cloud and putting his arm around a young boy at left while a demon walks away at right," an engraving made between 1729 and 1740 by Nicolas Gabriel Dupuis, currently housed at The Met. It’s a striking image with dramatic light and shadow. What elements stand out to you most? Curator: The fact that it is an engraving immediately grabs my attention. Consider the labor involved in creating this image. The artisan meticulously carving the image into a metal plate. Think of the socioeconomic conditions: who commissioned this piece and why? This isn't simply about divine protection; it’s about material production, class, and consumption. Editor: That’s a great point. I was focusing on the narrative aspect – the angel protecting the boy – but I hadn't considered the implications of the production process. The engraving seems like a conscious choice that goes beyond just rendering an image. Curator: Exactly! Consider the historical context. During this period, engravings were crucial for disseminating ideas and images. This image, reproduced and circulated, becomes a commodity, contributing to the visual culture of the time. How does the act of reproducing a religious scene change its meaning? Editor: So, rather than just seeing it as a straightforward religious allegory, we should also consider its role as a manufactured object within a larger network of commerce and communication? Curator: Precisely. It is both a spiritual representation and a product of labor, reflecting specific technological capabilities and systems of patronage. By examining the materiality of the work and its production, we gain deeper insights into the society that produced it. What new perspective has this given you? Editor: I will pay attention not just to WHAT it depicts, but HOW it was made and WHO was making it and buying it. Thanks!