Joseph and the Christ Child c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Joseph Wagner’s "Joseph and the Christ Child." It looks like an engraving, with fine lines creating soft forms. What can you tell me about the printmaking process and its social context at the time? Curator: Let's consider the economics of printmaking. Engravings like this allowed for the mass production of religious imagery. Who could afford these prints, and how did that shape the artistic choices Wagner made? Editor: So, the materials used and the production methods dictated who could access the art. That’s a different way of thinking about religious images. Curator: Precisely. This was a business as much as it was an act of devotion. How does that affect your understanding now? Editor: It makes me think about accessibility and the democratization of art, even in the 18th century. Thanks!