Descent from the Cross 1670

Editor: This is Melchior Küsel's "Descent from the Cross," a print from the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by how the etching captures such a somber moment. What can you tell me about the materials and process used here? Curator: Küsel's etching allows us to consider the democratization of religious imagery through printmaking. How does the reproducible nature of this medium influence the consumption and understanding of this scene, especially considering its historical context? Editor: That's a great point! It becomes accessible to a wider audience through this process. Thanks for sharing. Curator: My pleasure. Considering the labor involved in creating both the plate and the prints, we see a fascinating intersection of art, craft, and commerce.