David and Absalom 1490 - 1500

Editor: This engaging print, "David and Absalom," of unknown date and artist, depicts a biblical scene. It’s quite small, and the crisp lines of the woodcut give it a powerful graphic quality. What story do you think the process of making reveals? Curator: The very act of carving this image into wood, then pressing it repeatedly, democratizes the narrative. Think about the labor involved, the accessibility of the print medium. How might this mass production have reshaped the story's reception? Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered the impact of the printing process itself. Curator: Consider too how the material and its creation challenges the traditional hierarchy of art versus craft. Perhaps its value lies less in artistic genius and more in its function as a tool for dissemination and social commentary. Editor: That completely shifts my perspective. Thanks for pointing out these vital aspects that would otherwise have passed me by.