Aanbidding door de koningen 1629

Editor: This is "Adoration of the Kings," a 1629 engraving by Christoffel van Sichem II, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. It’s incredibly detailed. The way the artist depicts the procession of the Magi weaving through the landscape leading to the nativity scene gives it almost a sense of theatrical staging. What stands out to you the most about this print? Curator: Considering this piece through a materialist lens, the very process of engraving is paramount. Look closely; it is an image created through labor. Each line etched into the plate signifies a decision, a deliberate act of craftsmanship. How does the relative ease of producing prints – the economics of reproducibility - impact its potential audience, compared to, say, a painted altarpiece? Editor: So, the medium itself broadens the audience? Prints were more accessible. Curator: Precisely. This isn’t a unique, precious object meant only for the wealthy or powerful. Think about the social context: engravings like these were produced and distributed widely, becoming affordable didactic tools or decorations for homes. We should also note, what materials were circulating at the time; does that shed light on the choice of materials? Editor: I hadn't considered the impact of prints as almost a form of mass media at the time, a way to democratize images. Curator: Exactly! And consider the consumption of these images, both secular and religious. Think of this print not just as an aesthetic object but also a commodity, circulating within specific social and economic networks. Ultimately, how do we understand the labour embedded within it and how its reproducibility challenges notions of artistic value? Editor: This reframing helps see beyond just the religious narrative and focus on its function as a mass-produced object of devotion, intricately linked to its own economic system. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It also demonstrates how our appreciation of an artwork expands as we broaden our investigative focus to its physical properties, production method, and material availability.