Saint Jude (?) c. 1527 - 1530

Editor: This print, "Saint Jude (?)," is by an anonymous artist. The etching process is so apparent, with each line carefully laid. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: I notice the subject's garment, its texture achieved through the etching process. Consider the labor involved in creating such an image. Was this for mass consumption or a select audience? What does the materiality suggest about its cultural value? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered the work that goes into this and how that affects its value. Curator: Exactly! The choice of etching, the apparent skill, and the potential distribution are key to understanding this image's place in its time. Food for thought.