Dinah Taken Home by Simeon and Levi c. 1569

Editor: This is Jan Harmensz. Muller's "Dinah Taken Home by Simeon and Levi," an engraving. It's incredibly detailed. What strikes me is how Muller portrays the labor involved in both the abduction and the revenge. What do you see in this print? Curator: I'm drawn to the materiality of the print itself. The labor of the engraver, the cost of the paper, and the social context of printmaking are all important. Consider the consumption of such images and the message it conveys about power dynamics. Editor: So you're saying the value isn't just in the image, but also in its production and circulation? Curator: Precisely. The means of production inflect the message itself. This print is more than just a biblical scene; it is a commodity, a product of its time. We should consider that when thinking about its meaning. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for sharing your insight.