Dimensions: image: 101 x 63 mm
Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: This print, from the British School, depicts the Virgin Mary with seven swords piercing her heart. It's a small image, only about 10cm by 6cm. The texture of the engraving is really apparent, you can see the individual lines that create the image. Editor: It feels overwhelmingly sorrowful. The swords are such a potent symbol of suffering, and the dead Christ lying at her feet only amplifies that feeling. Curator: The image is rich in iconic Christian symbolism - the swords representing the seven sorrows of Mary, the cross in the background a clear reference to the crucifixion. The Latin text beneath reinforces these themes of joy turned to sorrow. Editor: The repetition of line in the landscape, in Mary's drapery, and the very deliberate placement of each sword – it all points to a skilled artisan familiar with production conventions of the time, likely creating devotional objects. Curator: Exactly, the print could have been widely distributed, making this image accessible to a broad audience. Editor: It's incredible how much emotion is conveyed through such a small, carefully crafted object. Curator: It really underscores the power of imagery to communicate complex emotions and narratives, doesn't it?