Saint Francis 1638

Editor: Here we have Claude Mellan's "Saint Francis." The lines are incredible, so fine and delicate. What strikes me is how the etching process itself seems to emphasize the monk's austerity and devotion. How do you see it? Curator: Absolutely. Mellan's engraving privileges the *process* of image-making. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, the social context of religious art production, and how the print served as a consumable item. Editor: That’s a very different way of thinking about it. I was focused on the saint’s expression! Curator: Consider also that Mellan was commissioned. The social and economic structures are just as important as the aesthetic. Editor: I'll definitely be thinking about the production next time I look at art.