Adoration of the Shepherds c. 16th century

Editor: This is Parmigianino’s “Adoration of the Shepherds,” a small etching. The lines are so delicate! What can you tell me about Parmigianino’s process here? Curator: As a print, this image wasn’t unique, allowing broader access to religious iconography for consumption. The etching process itself involved labor, acid, and metal—materials deeply embedded in the socio-economic structures of 16th-century Europe. Consider who controlled the means of production and distribution. How did this impact Parmigianino’s art? Editor: That's interesting, how the distribution of the image becomes so important. I'll have to think about that.