Madonna and Child c. 17th century

Editor: This is Pierre Daret's *Madonna and Child*, found at the Harvard Art Museums. It's an engraving, and I'm struck by the detail in the fabrics. What can you tell me about the making of this print? Curator: Consider the labor involved in creating this image. The printmaking process, the tools used—the burin meticulously incising the plate. Notice the materiality of the paper, likely handmade. It reflects a specific mode of production and a market for religious imagery. Editor: So, it's less about the divine and more about the process of creating it? Curator: It's about understanding how the image was constructed and consumed. The labor, materials, and distribution networks are all integral to understanding its meaning. What do you take away from considering it that way? Editor: That really does change how I see it. It's about how it was made, and who had access to it. Thanks!