Flagellation 1512

Editor: This is "Flagellation," a 1512 engraving by Albrecht Durer. The composition is brutal and stark. It really brings forth the intense cruelty of the event depicted, which really carries through, even as a print. As a historian, what catches your eye in this print? Curator: What immediately stands out to me is Dürer’s use of printmaking, specifically engraving, for such a graphic subject. In the early 16th century, the printing press was changing the very landscape of visual culture. How did this increased accessibility influence the ways religious narratives were received and understood by the public? Editor: That's a great question. I imagine, this print format really broadened exposure for Durer's works to people who never have, or never will, visit major collections. Curator: Precisely! Consider, also, the political climate. The Reformation was brewing, and images held immense power. Was Dürer’s portrayal of Christ’s suffering meant to incite empathy and devotion or perhaps even, given the context, to critique religious authority? How did the relatively affordable prints change access to artistic narratives beyond the patronage networks of the elite? Editor: It is compelling how something reproducible such as an engraving could have real power at the time and could change existing dynamics. But still, the agony is very prominent! Curator: Of course! Dürer’s masterful technique enhanced the emotional impact. And also keep in mind the market: what was the role of commercial printmaking in shaping religious devotion, and what does that mean today? Editor: That puts this engraving in an entirely new light for me. I was focused on the depicted event and aesthetic but not how Dürer used the historical and social context. Curator: And I was focusing on these socio-political factors, such as visual culture, production, and religion, whereas your sensitivity goes straight to the agony this visual carries. Perspective, I suppose, changes the lens!