Annunciation c. 18th century

Curator: Domenico Cunego created this intaglio print, titled "Annunciation." Look at the composition: angels above, the Virgin and Gabriel below. Editor: The contrast and line work evoke a dreamlike quality, almost as if it is not of this world. Curator: Indeed, consider the socioeconomic context in which Cunego operated. Printmaking allowed wider distribution of religious scenes, catering to a growing consumer market. Editor: The dove, the cherubs, the halo—these motifs create a narrative of divine intervention, carefully structured through light and shadow. Curator: A narrative made possible by the skilled labor required to produce the plates used to create the prints and allowing mass consumption of religious iconography. Editor: Regardless, the work's serene symmetry leaves an enduring impression of hope. Curator: Yes, a beautiful result of the intersection of faith, labor, and material conditions.