Saint Maxentia Tridentina c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous print titled "Saint Maxentia Tridentina." The stark black and white of the woodcut is really striking. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Well, I see a fascinating intersection of labor, material, and cultural context. The very act of creating a woodcut—the manual labor, the skill in carving—speaks to a specific means of production. Editor: How so? Curator: Think about the availability of wood, the tools required, the time invested. It’s not just an image; it's a product of its time, reflecting the resources and techniques accessible to its maker. What kind of audience was this print for? Editor: Someone with access to printed materials, obviously, but maybe a lower class who couldn't afford paintings? Curator: Precisely. Examining this print through a materialist lens broadens our understanding beyond just religious iconography. We see the art market in the making. Editor: That's a totally different way of looking at it. Thanks!