Daniel refusing to worship Bel 1565

Editor: Philips Galle's "Daniel Refusing to Worship Bel," from 1565, an engraving now held at the SMK, presents such a captivating scene! I'm struck by the meticulous detail rendered through printmaking – the textures, the drapery, everything. How do you see the impact of the printmaking process reflected in the artwork’s overall message and meaning? Curator: I focus on the labor and social implications. The intricate lines achieved through engraving—etching into a metal plate, inking, pressing—are all human labor. It speaks to a system of production. What do you make of that explicit declaration in the image – "simulachra manufacta non colere" - "I will not worship idols made by hand"? Editor: So, Daniel’s refusal is about more than religious conviction? It’s almost a commentary on the value of handcrafted versus divinely created? Curator: Precisely! And consider the context: printmaking, itself a burgeoning industry, allowed for mass dissemination of ideas. Was Galle commenting on art's increasingly industrial character? High art meets the world of craft? Consider who owned the means of production; Who decided on the image, paid for it, and distributed the work? Editor: Interesting, framing it this way really shifts my perception from a straightforward religious narrative. I guess I was so focused on Daniel's act of defiance, I didn’t really consider the means of its depiction and the labour involved. Thanks for the new perspective! Curator: Thinking about artistic labor, in relation to devotional practices or political statements offers valuable insight, right? And it’s only enhanced when considering who is consuming those ideas and images.