Saint John the Baptist c. 18th century

Curator: Stefano Mulinari created this "Saint John the Baptist," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The print shows John, his lamb at his feet, in a stark landscape. Editor: There's a starkness to the image itself, a rawness almost. The lines are so deliberate, it's like he's wrestling the image from the page. You can almost feel the pressure of the tool. Curator: Mulinari, active in the late 18th century, worked during a period where the church and nobility still wielded considerable influence on artistic production. How do you think this print engages with this patronage? Editor: Well, look at the texture of the lamb's wool compared to the rough landscape, it highlights a craftsperson's awareness of materiality. Is it about serving the elite, or showcasing the skill of a burgeoning class of printmakers? Curator: Perhaps it's both! These images played a crucial role in disseminating religious ideas to a broader public, shaping social and religious norms. Editor: It makes you think about the labor involved, doesn't it? The time spent etching each line, the multiple stages to pull a print. A true dedication of the maker. Curator: Absolutely. This print provides insight into the ways artists navigated social expectations while asserting artistic skill. Editor: Seeing the evidence of the artist's hand makes you appreciate not just the image, but the process and the person who made it.