Chist and the Virgin Appearing to S. Francis c. 17th century

Curator: This print depicts Christ and the Virgin Appearing to S. Francis, by Michel II Corneille. Editor: Wow, I'm just struck by how the saint seems almost overpowered, yet also embraced by this divine cloud of figures. Curator: That dynamic speaks to the core of Francis's radical humility and devotion, doesn't it? The imagery reinforces established power structures, yet there's a vulnerability in the figures. Editor: I see what you mean. It's like a story about the push and pull of faith, the feeling of being totally humbled but also held aloft. Curator: Considering the historical context, it is difficult to separate interpretations of gender roles from the imagery of this era, where the male figure is traditionally dominant. Editor: Right. It's a potent reminder that even in transcendent moments, social dynamics are still very much in the frame. Makes you think, doesn't it? Curator: It does. Art constantly challenges us to see the past through the lens of the present. Editor: And sometimes, the present through the lens of the past.