Strages ss. Innocentium c. 19th century

Editor: This is Moritz Steinla's "Strages ss. Innocentium." It depicts a chaotic scene, seemingly from a biblical story. Given the printmaking process, what material realities underpinned its creation and distribution? Curator: Consider the economics: engravings like this, were produced for a growing art market and broader consumption. How do the materials—the paper, the ink, the metal plate—reflect Steinla's economic position and the artwork's accessibility? Editor: So, it's less about the artistry and more about the conditions that enabled it? Curator: Exactly. The labor involved, the cost of materials, and the intended audience all shaped the final product and its social impact. Editor: Fascinating. I never thought about it that way. Curator: It transforms our understanding of the work.