Joseph Sold by His Brothers into Egypt 1574

Editor: We're looking at "Joseph Sold by His Brothers into Egypt," an engraving by Daniel Lindtmayer from 1574, housed at the Met. It's incredibly detailed, almost overwhelmingly so! The scene is teeming with figures and motifs; I’m curious to learn what speaks to you most in this piece? Curator: The overwhelming detail speaks directly to the mode of production at the time. The engraving process, while laborious, allowed for the mass production of images. How do you think this availability influenced the dissemination of the Biblical narrative itself? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way, I was more focused on its narrative content. So the material impacts how it’s circulated, right? It would reach a broader audience more quickly than, say, a painting. Curator: Precisely. And let’s consider the material of the print itself - paper, ink, metal for the engraving plate. Each comes with its own economic and social history. The availability of paper, for example, signals wider literacy and the growth of print culture. And do you notice the inclusion of heraldry near the base? Who do you think this print might be commissioned by or aimed to serve? Editor: The coats of arms... So it wasn’t *just* about broad circulation for religious teaching. Maybe commissioned by someone of noble status who wanted it. It adds a layer of class, of economic status... almost as a consumer good for an elite family. Curator: Exactly! This wasn’t *just* an image; it was a commodity with layers of meaning tied to its production and consumption. What have you found the most illuminating from a materials perspective? Editor: Definitely understanding how the method of production—engraving and printing—directly impacted the audience and the potential patrons, embedding cultural value beyond just the story it depicts!