Holy Family c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Claude Mellan's "Holy Family," an engraving. The texture created by the lines is fascinating. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Notice how the hatching emphasizes the material quality of the robes, and even the stone? The printmaking process itself, the labor, becomes part of the subject. Mellan wasn't just depicting a scene, he was showcasing his skill, his mastery over the tools and the trade. Editor: So the value isn't just in the image, but the act of making it? Curator: Precisely. It challenges our notions of high art by bringing the production process to the forefront. It makes us consider how religious imagery was consumed and circulated at the time. Editor: That really reframes how I see the piece. It’s more about the how than just the what. Curator: Indeed. Considering the material realities transforms our understanding.