Scenes in the Life of S. John the Baptist c. 16th century

Curator: This is David Kandel's "Scenes in the Life of S. John the Baptist," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite striking. The landscape is rendered with such clarity—almost a photographic precision, despite being crafted in the 16th century. Curator: Kandel was clearly engaged with the material realities of printmaking. Note the intricate layering of lines; they build form and shadow, almost like a woven fabric. Editor: Indeed. Formally, the composition directs your gaze through discrete scenes: John preaching, baptizing, and ultimately meeting his fate. The narrative unfolds cinematically. Curator: What interests me is how Kandel’s workshop practices reflect the social conditions of artistic production at the time—the commercialization of religious imagery. Editor: So, we can see Kandel navigating both spiritual and commercial demands. Fascinating. Curator: Absolutely. Thinking about the means of production alongside the religious narrative… it changes how we view the work. Editor: A compelling reminder that even seemingly straightforward images are complex negotiations between form, content, and context.