Christ Blessing Little Children c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jan van Orley's "Christ Blessing Little Children," held in the Harvard Art Museums. Look at this bustling scene. Editor: It's so intricate! The etched lines create such a sense of depth and movement, like a flurry of activity around Christ. What sort of paper would this have been printed on? Curator: Well, it is interesting how Orley chose to depict this scene. See how the architecture looms over the figures, framing Christ's gesture of blessing? It speaks to the Church's power. Editor: Absolutely, and the way he uses those precise lines to render fabrics and skin makes me consider the printmaking process itself, the labour involved in producing these images for wider circulation. Curator: A good point. The scripture, "Suffer the little children to come unto me," was clearly important, and the image would have been a way to reinforce the Church’s social teachings. Editor: It makes you think about the role of these images beyond simple decoration. Curator: Precisely. There is an ideology at work. Editor: Considering the craft behind it, though, makes me value the artist's skill so much more. Curator: Indeed. It gives us more to think about!