The Martyrdom of St Stephen 1576

Editor: This engraving, "The Martyrdom of St. Stephen" by Cornelis Cort, made in 1576… It's intense. All these figures crammed together, enacting violence while God the Father looms above. What can you tell me about how this work came into being, what’s important here? Curator: Well, think about the production of this print. It’s an engraving, right? Multiple steps, each involving skilled labor. Cort, the engraver, wasn't just illustrating an event; he was participating in a complex network of workshops, printmaking knowledge, and access to materials. The image, intended for broad dissemination, relies on an established system of production and consumption, and on social practices of piety and collecting. How might the labor and materials involved affect our interpretation? Editor: So, the act of creating multiples gives this image its power, maybe even more than the biblical subject matter. Were prints like this intended to replace painted altarpieces, making them accessible to less wealthy people? Curator: Possibly. Engravings democratize images, but they also commodify them. Consider the physical act of engraving those tiny lines. The repetition. It transforms faith into a product available on the market. Do you see any other ways materiality affects the image's meaning? Editor: Now that you point it out, the very black ink really strengthens the message by creating harsh shadows... I had only considered the figures in the composition! So I'm going to now wonder: How does it become a question about class and commerce and faith? Curator: Exactly! Considering process allows us to look at this image, "The Martyrdom of St Stephen", through the lens of production and circulation. This offers us deeper insight. Editor: Thanks, I had missed that at first glance. I definitely understand more about what prints contribute to their culture now.