Sophonisba c. 1539

Editor: Here we have Georg Pencz's "Sophonisba," a small engraving, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. I’m struck by the stark contrast created by the engraving technique. How can we interpret this work through its materials and production? Curator: Note the fine lines, the labor involved in creating this print. Consider the economy of printmaking at the time. Who was consuming these images, and what was the social context of their consumption? This informs how we see Sophonisba's story being circulated. Editor: So, the print itself is part of the story? Curator: Precisely. The material—the engraving—and its distribution are not neutral. They influence our understanding of gender, power, and the historical narrative surrounding Sophonisba. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully considered. Thanks! Curator: Looking at the process helps us understand not just the image, but its role in society.