The Task of the Church c. 1585

Curator: Adriaen Collaert, who lived from 1560 to 1618, created "The Task of the Church," a work currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a print on a sheet measuring roughly 9 by 12 inches. I'm immediately struck by the contrasting textures rendered so meticulously in the engraving! Editor: The way the church is depicted riding a chariot, drawn by a lamb and a serpent, suggests a very specific power dynamic and commentary on religious institutions of the time. The serpent is made to serve, to pull a Christian symbol. Curator: It’s intriguing how Collaert uses the materiality of the printmaking process – the precise lines, the contrast between light and shadow – to convey complex theological ideas. The means of production become integral to the message. Editor: Absolutely, and the print medium itself allowed for wider dissemination of these ideas. Consider the sociopolitical context: Prints like these played a crucial role in shaping public perception during the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. Curator: It's a testament to the enduring power of visual language and the skilled craftmanship embedded in printmaking. Editor: Indeed, reflecting on the social and political impact of this image gives us a deeper appreciation for Collaert's work.