De Vlugt van 't Pausdom 1660 - 1708

Curator: "De Vlugt van 't Pausdom," or "The Flight of the Papacy," is an engraving by Romeyn de Hooghe, dating between 1660 and 1708. The chaotic imagery definitely makes a statement, and I am fascinated by the level of detail. What is your initial impression? Editor: I'm struck by how dense it is. It's a scene filled with figures, animals, and symbols, all rendered in such detail using the engraving technique. How do you read the significance of the materiality of this work? Curator: As a print, it was meant for wide distribution, wouldn't you agree? And that speaks volumes. This wasn't about creating a unique object for the elite, but disseminating a message widely. Look at the quality of the lines; they speak to the artist’s skilled labor. Given the date, what do you suspect this message might be? Editor: Based on the title, I’d guess it has to do with anti-Catholic sentiment. So, mass-producing this image through engraving makes a very pointed political statement? It’s not just art, it's propaganda through material means? Curator: Precisely. The choice of engraving made this image reproducible. And that accessibility suggests it played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, fueling existing prejudices through accessible visual language. Now, think about the material constraints – the size of the plate, the cost of the paper… Editor: That frames my understanding differently. I usually think of prints as lesser than paintings, but in this instance, the print *is* the message due to the cultural and economic factors in production and consumption. The art lies as much in the socio-political statement as it does in the aesthetic value. I learned a lot about how art is labor. Curator: Absolutely, we have de Hooghe's social critique married with artistry! And to consider materiality in this light adds depth to our understanding.