The Lord Speaking to Moses from the Burning Bush c. 17th century

Editor: So here we have Gérard Audran's "The Lord Speaking to Moses from the Burning Bush," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures are rendered so delicately, but I am curious about how the artist achieved this level of detail. What can you tell me about the process? Curator: Considering Audran was an engraver, the materiality of the metal plate itself becomes key. The labor-intensive process of carving the image into the metal, the tools used, the ink applied, and the paper all speak to the artist's skill, and reflect a certain level of artisanal production. Editor: It’s amazing to think about the handwork that went into each print! Thanks for that perspective. Curator: Indeed. And this print, distributed widely, transforms the image of divine revelation into a commodity.