Monnik die zichzelf kastijdt 1724

Editor: This print, "Monnik die zichzelf kastijdt," or "Monk flagellating himself," was created by Jacob Gole in 1724. It's an engraving, so the lines are so precise. I find the figure very striking, especially the tension between the apparent poverty and the action of self-harm. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, let's start with the engraving itself. Consider the labor involved in producing this image. Each line meticulously carved into a metal plate, ink painstakingly applied, and then pressed onto paper. The repetitive nature of the process, echoes, perhaps, the monk's repetitive act of self-flagellation. Is there a social commentary being made here? Editor: A social commentary? I hadn't thought of it that way. I was just focused on the religious aspect. Do you think there's some commentary on the Church itself? Curator: Possibly. Think about who would have purchased and consumed this image. Was it meant to inspire piety or to critique the opulence of religious institutions? The Baroque period certainly had its tensions between displays of wealth and the embrace of asceticism. What about the paper itself? Was it mass-produced, or handmade? Even that detail informs its value and intended audience. Editor: That’s fascinating, to consider the print not just as an image but also as an object with its own history of production. Curator: Exactly. By considering the means of production – the engraver's skill, the availability of materials, the intended market – we can unravel the social and economic context in which this image was created and circulated. What does this labor, in turn, say about devotion and social values at that time? Editor: I never would have considered all these factors when viewing a piece. Now I’ll be paying closer attention to the materiality and context of other artworks. Thanks so much! Curator: My pleasure! Looking beyond the surface always brings a new layer to your understanding.