Saint George with Other Saints before the Virgin and Child c. 18th century

Curator: This is "Saint George with Other Saints before the Virgin and Child" by Nicolas-Dauphin de Beauvais, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The figures are striking, almost theatrical, but what I find most compelling is the texture achieved through the engraving. It seems so tactile! Curator: Yes, Saint George, often depicted slaying a dragon, here stands triumphant, a symbol of faith overcoming adversity, his foot planted firmly on the defeated beast. Editor: The process of engraving would have been meticulous—each line carefully incised into the plate. Consider the labor invested in recreating this scene. Curator: And the cherubs, almost overwhelming the Virgin, embody innocence and divine love. Their presence reinforces the celestial nature of the scene. Editor: The reproduction itself transforms the original work, highlighting the societal value placed on disseminating images and knowledge. Curator: It's a fascinating confluence of religious iconography and artistic process. Editor: Indeed, it makes me ponder on the social function of images then and now.