Flight into Egypt c. 16th century

Editor: This is Pietro Aquila's "Flight into Egypt," created around the late 17th century. The etching has such delicate lines. I’m curious, what stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Note the production of the print itself. How does Aquila's skill with the burin shape not only the image, but also its distribution and consumption within 17th-century society? Editor: Are you saying the printmaking process itself influenced the art's message or purpose? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the material limitations and possibilities of etching—the lines, the tones—impact the narrative and the audience’s access to religious imagery. Editor: So, it's about the means of production as much as the subject matter. I hadn’t considered that! Curator: It challenges our understanding of high art by showing the labor and materials involved. Editor: I’ll definitely look at prints differently now!