Madonna of the Chair c. 19th century

Editor: Here we see Antonio Perfetti's "Madonna of the Chair." The circular composition is quite striking and intimate. What can you tell me about the public appeal of religious imagery like this in the 19th century? Curator: Consider the rise of museums and print culture. Engravings such as this allowed for wider distribution of revered images. It facilitated the democratization of art, bringing religious iconography into middle-class homes and solidifying cultural values. Editor: So, its accessibility shaped its meaning? Curator: Precisely. The print medium transformed what was once confined to the elite into a publicly consumed, and debated, visual commodity. What do you think that did to the role of religious images? Editor: It democratized access to art while potentially influencing social norms and expectations. Curator: Exactly, that’s a perfect way to summarise the impact.