Madonna c. 18th century

Editor: This is Barthholomäus Ignaz Weiss's "Madonna," and the texture from the etching process really stands out. What's your take on this piece? Curator: Consider the materials. The etching process itself, the acid, the metal plate, the paper, all products of labor. How does the mass production of devotional images impact the perception and consumption of faith? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. So the image's meaning is tied to its method of production? Curator: Precisely. The availability and affordability of prints democratized religious imagery, shifting its role from unique artifact to a more common commodity. The line work, too, is a direct effect of the process. Editor: I see. I'll definitely look at prints differently now. Curator: Indeed. It's about the means, not just the message.