Jonah Cast on Shore by the Fish c. 1585

Curator: Here we have Anton Wierix II's "Jonah Cast on Shore by the Fish," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The etching really seizes your attention. Editor: Yes, what strikes me immediately is the somewhat naive yet vivid depiction of the whale and the chaotic energy of the scene. It almost has the feel of a woodblock print. Curator: The cross-hatching employed to define form and space—especially in the rendering of the sea—is quite masterful. Consider the ways the lines coalesce to create depth. Editor: For me, it’s less about depth and more about the materials. The printmaking process itself, the paper, the ink—these were all significant factors in the creation and dissemination of this story. It speaks to the labor invested. Curator: True. But the composition guides the eye. Jonah’s figure, though small, occupies a critical space in the foreground, connecting the earthly and divine realms. Editor: And the act of printing made such images accessible, transforming religious narratives into commodities available for individual reflection. Curator: I appreciate your point about its reach. But from a purely visual standpoint, the piece is remarkable for how it captures a moment of divine intervention. Editor: Indeed, considering the materials and production helps us see how such stories moved beyond religious texts into everyday life.