Belshazzar's Feast 1831 - 1838

Editor: This is John Martin's "Belshazzar's Feast." It's a print, and the level of detail is incredible. The light seems to be radiating outwards, but from what? How do you interpret this work? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating this print. The tools, the press, the skill to achieve such detail. Is this high art or a crafted commodity for mass consumption? This is the question we need to ask ourselves. Editor: So, you're saying the meaning isn't just in the biblical story but also in the making? Curator: Exactly. The method of production shapes our understanding of the artwork and its accessibility to different social classes. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Curator: Reflect on the materials and processes; they reveal so much about the artist and society itself.