Madonna Enthroned c. 16th century

Curator: This is Jakob Binck's "Madonna Enthroned." Look at the tenderness conveyed in this small print, only about 13 by 11 centimeters. Editor: The hatching! It gives such a tactile quality to the clouds and the drapery, almost as if it's carved rather than etched. Curator: Precisely, and the engraver seems to be drawing on a rich tradition of Mary as Queen of Heaven, enthroned and surrounded by cherubic figures. The act of breastfeeding itself is a powerful symbol of nurturing and divine love. Editor: It's interesting how Binck uses the lines, almost like he's layering fabric upon fabric. How do you think such an image was received by those who consumed it? Curator: I imagine with reverence. This image speaks volumes about the cult of motherhood, the divine, and the role of the Virgin Mary in the religious imagination of the time. Editor: The sheer density of labor in this engraving, the precision of the lines – it really makes you consider the process of its making and distribution. Curator: Indeed, it's a small treasure, rich in cultural and religious significance. Editor: A dense object lesson, meticulously wrought.