Saint Matthew c. 1527 - 1530

Curator: Here we have an etching, titled "Saint Matthew", part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. The artist is unknown. Editor: It's immediately striking how raw and unrefined the lines are, almost urgent. You can almost feel the stylus scratching into the plate. Curator: It certainly reflects a specific printmaking process. We should consider the socio-political forces at play influencing the art. How the church uses imagery to represent their vision. Editor: Yes, but look at the materiality, the very fiber of the paper, the ink used, its availability and cost, it's all connected. Curator: Interesting. So, both religious function and material conditions helped to determine the image we see before us. Editor: Precisely. Considering it this way gives a fresh perspective, beyond just the saintly representation. Curator: A great example of how understanding materials can truly enrich historical and cultural interpretation.