Saint Ruffina the Second (fol. LXX v) 1497

Editor: This page, titled “Saint Ruffina the Second,” appears to be from an early printed book. The stark black-and-white image is quite striking, especially with the contrast between the dense text and the simple figure of the saint. What can we make of this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I see the woodcut as evidence of a specific mode of production. The texture of the lines reveals the hand of the artisan, connecting the image to the labor involved in its creation. How does its mass production affect its perceived value? Editor: That’s a good point; I hadn’t thought about the labor involved. So, how does focusing on the materiality change our understanding? Curator: It shifts the focus from the saint as a divinely inspired figure to the printing process as a social practice. It highlights the intersection of religious belief, bookmaking, and the emerging print culture of the time. Editor: I see, it encourages us to think about who made it, how it was made, and its place in society. Thanks for the insights! Curator: My pleasure! It's a reminder that even religious images are deeply embedded in material conditions and social relations.