The Rest on the Flight into Egypt c. 1515 - 1519

Editor: Here we have Albrecht Altdorfer’s "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt," a small but incredibly detailed engraving. The landscape feels particularly alive. What draws your eye in this piece? Curator: I see the fascinating interplay between the sacred narrative and the means of its production. How does the very act of engraving, the physical labor, contribute to the spiritual meaning we derive from it? Consider the materials – the metal plate, the tools – and the social context of printmaking at the time. Editor: So, it’s not just about the holy family, but also about how the image came to be? Curator: Precisely. The labor, the materiality – they are not separate from the sacred, but intertwined with it. This challenges the division between high art and craft, inviting us to reflect on the value we assign to each. Editor: That gives me a totally different perspective. Thanks!