The Madonna of the Lord Mayor c. 19th century

Curator: Hermann Walde created this engraving, “The Madonna of the Lord Mayor." It is now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The figures strike me as quite rigid, yet there is a softness in the rendering of the skin that is really fascinating. Curator: The engraving process itself would have required precise labor. Consider the social context—prints like these made art more accessible. Editor: Yes, and formally, the composition guides your eye. The Madonna at the center grounds the arrangement, and the other figures direct your gaze to her. Curator: Exactly. This print democratized religious imagery. It allowed for wider circulation and interpretation of religious narratives beyond the elite. Editor: Seeing the interplay of the linear detail and tonal variation really gives me a lot to consider about artistic skill and the distribution of images. Curator: Indeed. Recognizing these pieces can lead to a richer and more nuanced comprehension of our art.