Border illustration to The Life of Saint Jerome c. 15th century

Editor: This is an anonymous border illustration to "The Life of Saint Jerome." It's incredibly detailed, almost like a comic strip telling a story. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a product of its time, literally. The cheap production of printed material democratized access to religious narratives. Look at the labor involved: the carving of the woodblock, the paper making, the printing itself. Editor: So, you're focusing on the process rather than the aesthetic value? Curator: Exactly. How the means of production shaped not just the image, but also its consumption and impact on society is key. What was the social context? Who had access? How did it change their understanding of Saint Jerome? Editor: That's a completely different way of looking at art than I’m used to! Thanks.