Schismatics--Mahomet 

Curator: "Schismatics--Mahomet", an engraving or woodcut by Gustave Doré. The high contrast and linear quality really pull me in. What stands out to you, looking at this piece? Editor: It’s quite dramatic, with all those writhing figures and sharp lines. What’s interesting is the stark difference between the figures, so earthy and… tormented, and the two figures looking down on them calmly. What do you see in this work? Curator: Let's consider the materials themselves. This is an engraving or a woodcut. What impact does that process have? Consider the labor involved: carving that level of detail into wood or metal… that speaks to the level of *production*. This wasn't a quick sketch, right? Editor: No, it clearly wasn't. All of the work that goes into the cross-hatching that gives shading, and even the variations in the weight of the lines to express shape… that must have been extremely labor intensive! Curator: Precisely! Now think about the context: Doré was illustrating Dante’s Inferno. He's interpreting and visualizing established literature and a story that makes strong social commentary. In that sense, he's creating and adding value. How does Doré’s specific *manner of production*–this incredibly detailed engraving—*change* how the *story* operates? How might this differ if the story was printed plainly, in text only? Editor: Because of how it's presented visually, the violence feels both visceral and somehow distanced, doesn’t it? As an illustration, it has an intense immediacy that simply reading text can't provide. And that violence is part of the statement itself, not merely the delivery! Curator: Exactly. It’s about how Doré chose to materialize Dante's text. And the availability of such illustration at the time also speaks to the level of literacy, availability of engravings, the printing press. Everything that makes this print happen reflects social shifts in cultural access. It highlights not just Doré's skill, but also societal consumption of art. What's your takeaway then? Editor: Thinking about it in terms of process, labor, and materials, it really opens up new avenues of interpretation beyond just the subject matter! Thanks for highlighting that. Curator: Likewise. It's vital to remember that the "how" of creation is often just as important as the "what."