Abraham and the Three Angels 16th-17th century

Editor: This is Ludovico Carracci's "Abraham and the Three Angels", a small ink drawing. The figures seem so fluid and full of movement. How do you interpret the social context of its creation? Curator: Well, considering Carracci's Bologna, think about the materiality of devotional images. Cheaper drawings like these democratized religious narratives, making them accessible beyond the elite. How does the medium itself affect our understanding of this scene? Editor: That's fascinating! So, it's not just about the story, but also about how regular people might have encountered it. I see it now. Thank you. Curator: Exactly. By focusing on the materials and their distribution, we gain a richer understanding of art's role in society.