Christ Bearing the Cross c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Jeremias Falck's "Christ Bearing the Cross." It's hard to put my finger on when it was created. It looks like an etching or engraving. I'm struck by the density of the figures, but also how the lines create these pockets of light. What stands out to you? Curator: The intricate labor involved in producing such a detailed engraving is compelling. Consider the social context: prints like these circulated widely, democratizing religious narratives. How does its availability as a commodity affect its meaning, compared to, say, a unique painted altarpiece? Editor: That's an interesting point! I hadn't considered how prints made religious imagery more accessible. I guess its value changes when it's no longer just for the wealthy elite. Curator: Exactly. The print functions both as devotional object and as a product of a specific social and economic system. It reflects the labor of production just as much as the religious subject. Editor: That reframes the way I see this piece entirely. I'm thinking about its materiality now! Thanks!