Stigmatisatie van heilige Franciscus 1634 - 1693

Curator: This engraving, held here at the Rijksmuseum, is titled "Stigmatization of Saint Francis." Jonas Umbach created this work sometime between 1634 and 1693, using ink on an engraved plate. Editor: My first impression is the intense drama conveyed through simple lines. Look at the incredible dynamism in those swirling clouds. It's a tiny print, but it evokes such grandeur. Curator: Let's consider the conditions under which a print like this would be made. Engravings are reproducible and this would mean this work was probably intended for broader consumption, possibly aimed at personal devotion or as an accessible means to share religious narratives with a wider audience. Editor: Absolutely, we can consider the power dynamics embedded in such representations. Saint Francis, as a figure, embodied humility and connection to the poor, yet this print transforms him into a spectacle of divine intervention. It arguably reinforces existing hierarchies. Curator: The materiality matters. The engraver's skill transformed base materials, metal, and ink, through intense labor, into something that held, and still holds, both cultural and economic value. Did Umbach have assistance? How many prints could one plate create? These factors were significant to production. Editor: The rays striking Francis are hard to ignore. In some interpretations, they speak to spiritual power and divine favor. This moment forever changed the saint and arguably this very print tries to trigger a change of heart for the viewer. Are we being encouraged to become closer to God? Curator: Think of the skilled labor necessary to make these intricate details visible. And this work would need an economic ecosystem to survive; the artist, the materials, and someone to purchase. Editor: A fruitful discussion on layers of social influence and religious messages at work in early prints! Curator: Indeed, bringing the artist’s process together with its economic and societal factors can offer interesting insights.