Saint Matthew c. 17th century

Editor: This is Nicolas Ryckemans' Saint Matthew, an engraving. I'm struck by the texture achieved with just lines – the cloak looks almost tactile. What can you tell me about how its creation informs its meaning? Curator: The engraving process itself is key. The artist's labor, meticulously carving lines into the metal plate, mirrors the dedication Saint Matthew embodied. The printmaking also allows for mass production and distribution, democratizing access to religious imagery and shaping its consumption. Editor: So, the very process of making it is part of the message. That's fascinating. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about the materials and methods opens up how we understand its cultural role, don't you think? Editor: Definitely. Considering the printmaking process really sheds new light on the work.