Nativity 16th-17th century

Editor: So, this is Johann Sadeler's "Nativity," an engraving. The detail is incredible, but what strikes me is how much is going on – figures, animals, architecture… How do you read this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating product of its time. This engraving demonstrates the artist's skill and the accessibility of printed images to a wider audience. Considering the social context, how does the reproduction and distribution of images like this affect the understanding and interpretation of religious narratives? Editor: That’s interesting. So you’re saying that its value lies not just in the image, but in how it was made and disseminated? Curator: Precisely. The process, the labor, and the consumption all contribute to our understanding of the work's historical and cultural significance. What did you think about how materiality affects its interpretation? Editor: I hadn't really considered it that way before, but I see what you mean. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's a valuable way to think about art.