Saint Paul the Hermit and Saint Anthony Abbot conversing in a landscape, after Pietro Antonio Novelli 1779 - 1836

Editor: Here we have Francesco Novelli's "Saint Paul the Hermit and Saint Anthony Abbot conversing in a landscape," an etching printed sometime between 1779 and 1836. The stark contrast between light and shadow gives it a dramatic feel. What stands out to you about this work? Curator: Considering the material conditions, etching allowed for the mass production of images, thus democratizing art and knowledge. How do you see this print engaging with the social context of its time, in terms of the availability and consumption of art? Editor: So, it's not just about the scene depicted, but also about how regular people would engage with images like this? Curator: Exactly. Think about the labor involved in creating the plate, the distribution networks, and who could afford it. Was it a luxury item, or was it more accessible? These things affected its purpose. Editor: It’s interesting to consider how the act of printing changes the value. It takes the artwork from an exclusive setting into a space where it can spread widely. Curator: And with that spread, how does it transform labor itself? Think of printmaking not just as artistic expression but a means of production, enmeshed in economics. How does that contrast to, say, a unique painting? Editor: Right. The individual genius versus a repeatable, manufactured image. I guess understanding the medium opens up questions about access, labor, and the very definition of "art." Curator: Precisely! Examining the material existence, we’ve explored broader socio-economic issues. Perhaps, too, how the production of imagery contributes to forming popular ideas about saints themselves. Editor: Thanks, that really makes me see the work in a totally different way, considering who could own and use prints like these.