The Angel Guiding the Young Tobias 18th-19th century

Editor: This is Christophe Guérin’s "The Angel Guiding the Young Tobias," an undated engraving. The angel's robe looks so soft, almost tactile. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I see a fascinating interplay between the print’s intended elevated subject matter and its material reality as a mass-produced object. Consider the labour involved in creating the plate, the availability of printed images, and how it democratized access to religious iconography. Editor: That’s a completely different way to look at it. I never thought about the labor behind a print like this. Curator: Exactly! Thinking about the means of production helps us understand its cultural role and historical impact. Editor: I will definitely look at prints in a new light.