The Virgin of the Basket c. 18th century

Curator: This is Francesco Faraone Aquila's "The Virgin of the Basket," an engraving. I’m immediately struck by the tender domesticity, the intimate gaze between mother and child. Editor: The basket itself is interesting, isn’t it? Its woven material speaks of labor, of the everyday realities underlying the idealized religious scene. What would such a basket have been used for and how does its inclusion speak to the status of artisans in Rome? Curator: Absolutely. The print participates in a broader visual culture, circulating images of piety and motherhood. We see this imagery used to reinforce social roles but also as a form of comfort in a society undergoing change. Editor: And considering Aquila’s role as a printmaker, we have to think about how this image was disseminated, who had access, and what the market conditions were that supported its production. Printmaking allowed for wider circulation than painting, expanding the audience for such imagery. Curator: It's a powerful reminder that even seemingly simple devotional images are deeply embedded in social and material conditions. Editor: Indeed, and a great reminder of the ways that art shapes and reflects the society that produces it.