Saint Iphigenia c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jacques Callot's "Saint Iphigenia," a small etching. The lines are so delicate, almost scratchy. It feels very intimate, like a devotional object. What does the materiality of this etching say about its production and consumption? Curator: Consider the copperplate etching process itself. Acid, labor, and a printing press all enable the mass production of images, making this saintly figure accessible to a wider audience than a painting ever could. How does this democratization affect our understanding of religious devotion? Editor: That’s fascinating! So, it’s not just about the image itself, but about the entire system that allowed it to be created and distributed. I never thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly. The image is only one part. Examining the means of production sheds light on its cultural impact. Editor: This has really changed how I see the piece, it's not just devotional, it's also a commodity. Thanks!