Saint Lucy and Saint Apollonia c. 19th century

Editor: This is Paolo Toschi's "Saint Lucy and Saint Apollonia." It's hard to pinpoint the date, but it's located at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like an engraving and I'm curious about the textural qualities achieved with that medium. How do you interpret this work, thinking about its creation? Curator: For me, the key is understanding Toschi's role as a printmaker. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, the reproduction process, and its implications for accessibility. What social strata was this intended for, and how does that impact its value as an object? Editor: So, the *how* it was made is as important as *what* it depicts? Curator: Precisely! The materiality of the print, the availability of the image… these factors shape its meaning and impact. Editor: I see. So, it's less about the saints themselves and more about the print's journey. Curator: Exactly. Thinking about production and consumption opens up a new understanding.