Profetie van Agabus 1702 - 1767

Editor: This print, "Prophecy of Agabus" by Jacob Folkema, dating somewhere between 1702 and 1767, uses engraving on paper. It feels almost theatrical with the draped curtain and figures in classical garb. I’m curious – what story can we unpack from the way this was made? Curator: Let's look at that engraving. Notice the fineness of the lines, the cross-hatching creating depth. The labor involved in producing such detail was considerable, indicating a valued commodity meant for circulation amongst a specific, likely educated, audience. Do you see how the lines aren't just descriptive, but also performative? Editor: Performative? In what way? Curator: Consider how line engraving at the time blurred the boundaries between craft and high art. Printmaking enabled wider distribution of imagery, impacting not just aesthetic tastes but also potentially democratizing access to biblical scenes. What do you think that might have meant to audiences encountering this image? Editor: So, beyond the story being depicted, the actual making and distributing of this print changed who had access to that story and how they interacted with it? The material is the message, as they say. Curator: Precisely. The materials and mode of production inherently inform how we read the image, and it opens up considerations beyond simply the historical event depicted. The choice of engraving also suggests a specific relationship with earlier traditions. Editor: I hadn't considered the act of dissemination as part of the meaning. Thinking about how materials shape the experience broadens the whole thing, giving the image more social weight. Curator: And considering the labor, distribution, and potential audience for this work adds more dimensions than just its immediate aesthetic qualities, wouldn't you agree?