Saint Christopher c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Guido Reni’s "Saint Christopher." I'm struck by the incredibly detailed linework, it almost looks like an engraving. What can you tell me about Reni’s process here? Curator: Absolutely. This is not just about the subject, but about the mode of production. Consider the labor involved in creating such intricate lines. How does this detailed labor affect its value? What does the method of production tell us about the consumption of images in Reni’s time? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn’t thought about the connection between production and consumption. Curator: Exactly. What does it mean to depict religious subjects in this way, through this meticulous, almost industrial process? Editor: Now I'm really seeing the piece differently, as something crafted through labor as well as faith. Thanks!