Madonna and Child c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Stefano Mulinari’s drawing, Madonna and Child. It feels very immediate because of the visible lines and the brown ink wash. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I'm interested in Mulinari as a printmaker reproducing someone else's design. Consider his labor: he's not inventing, but translating. What does it mean to replicate imagery in this way, making art accessible, reproducible, and consumable? Editor: So you're saying this isn't just about religious iconography, but also about the materials and the printmaking process? Curator: Precisely. It brings up questions of artistic intention, labor, and the role of prints in disseminating ideas and images within 18th century society. Editor: That changes how I see it entirely. It’s not just a devotional image, but a commodity.