Saint Louis c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Saint Louis," an anonymous print from around 1507, located at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white of the woodcut gives it a weighty feel. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I am drawn to the methods of production. Look at the labor involved in carving those blocks, and consider how these prints made religious narratives accessible to a wider audience. The materiality of the woodblock itself speaks to a shift in the consumption of art. Editor: So you see the value in the image as less about Saint Louis himself, and more as a commodity? Curator: Precisely. How does the ease of production change the perceived value of this religious imagery? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before. I was focused on the religious aspect, but the materials and printing process provide a whole new layer of understanding.