Madonna Enthroned, with the Infant Saint John, Saint Francis, Saint Jerome, and Saint Catherine after 1749

Curator: Let’s discuss this intriguing print, “Madonna Enthroned, with the Infant Saint John, Saint Francis, Saint Jerome, and Saint Catherine,” by Joseph Wagner, who lived from 1706 to 1780. It's quite a gathering of saints around the Virgin! Editor: My initial impression is one of hushed reverence, like a dream fading at the edges. The etching feels so delicate and ethereal. Curator: The composition reflects Baroque sensibilities, particularly its use of dramatic diagonals and a focus on religious ecstasy, designed for the devotional practices in the 18th century. Editor: You know, looking at it, it feels like something is being revealed, a secret whispered through the ages. The expressions are so intense. Curator: These prints played a vital role in disseminating religious imagery, making it more accessible to a wider audience. Editor: True, it's almost like a printed sermon, though I am much more drawn to its subtle emotional register and its appeal to something beyond literal belief. Curator: Its distribution tells us much about the dynamics of religious and political power at the time. Editor: Precisely. It's amazing how a static image can ignite so many interpretations. Curator: It gives us insight into the societal values that formed the artistic discourse of its time. Editor: Indeed, an echo of history, resonating with the present.