Christ in Emmaus 1550 - 1600

Editor: Here we have "Christ in Emmaus," an engraving made sometime between 1550 and 1600 by Johann Sadeler I, currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It strikes me as a very intimate portrayal, almost like eavesdropping on a quiet moment. What catches your eye in this print? Curator: I’m drawn to the labour inherent in its creation. Look at the density of lines Sadeler meticulously engraved. Each one demanded careful planning and physical effort. Consider too, the social context: prints like these weren't just aesthetic objects. They were commodities, reproduced and circulated, acting as vehicles for religious and political ideas. Who would have consumed such a piece, and how would their social status influence their perception? Editor: So, you see it as an object tied to both artistic skill and its role in society? Curator: Exactly! Think about the availability of the materials themselves - the copperplate, the inks, the paper. Each reflects the economic conditions and trade networks of the time. The Latin inscription and high level of technical skill suggest a relatively wealthy, educated audience, but even then, prints like this brought imagery to those who might never have seen a painting. What can the shells worn by the pilgrim tell us about popular pilgrimage routes or religious identity? Editor: That really reframes how I see it. I was focused on the facial expressions and the story, but now I’m considering the whole material process. Curator: Good. It shifts the focus from simply admiring the "genius" of the artist to appreciating the work as a product of its time, embedded within a network of material and social relations. This impacts its value. Editor: This has definitely broadened my understanding. Considering the materials and production gives the artwork a completely new depth. Thanks for the insights. Curator: And for me, your initial response was a necessary reminder of the narrative power within the art object, prompting material reality to reflect its spiritual intention.