De evangelist Marcus met leeuw 1712 - 1786

Curator: Looking at "De evangelist Marcus met leeuw", an engraving from sometime between 1712 and 1786 by Giovanni Marco Pitteri, what strikes you initially? Editor: The subdued mood, certainly. The aged paper enhances that effect. There’s something so human in this moment of contemplation depicted—almost intimate. It’s quite striking despite the scale of the print. Curator: Indeed. This work offers a window into how religious figures were constructed and perceived during the Baroque era, challenging previous representations of saints by depicting them as thinkers and authors. Editor: The lion is what fascinates me the most. Its symbolism ties Marcus to courage and royalty, attributes closely related to evangelism. The gentle pose almost suggests that evangelism relies on those character qualities. I also see the beard that extends nearly to his chest and the halo around his head. Curator: Exactly! The engraving utilizes very subtle hatching and cross-hatching techniques, particularly in Marcus' face and the lion's mane, adding dimension and texture that is particularly appealing, especially considering the period's relationship to ideas of humanity and knowledge. It positions Mark as part of the elite group that can attain knowledge in ways other people of color at the time couldn't, in this particular colonial time, contributing to systems of inequality. Editor: The symbolic pairing makes perfect sense given how cultural memory works to reinforce these character ideals in both the artist's and the audience’s consciousness. It becomes more intriguing once we start considering social implications within historical perspectives. Curator: Pitteri was incredibly skilled at adapting paintings into engravings. His legacy reminds us how art, particularly prints, serves as powerful carriers of ideology, sometimes unconsciously shaping our views and biases. Editor: A remarkable study in cultural echoes! Thank you for pointing to the cultural nuances, I might’ve continued solely focused on symbolism alone!