Stella Maris 15th-16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut print, titled *Stella Maris*. I'm immediately struck by the sharp contrast of the lines, and how the artist uses them to create a sense of depth. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Given the era and subject, it likely functioned as a devotional image. The title *Stella Maris*, meaning "Star of the Sea", is a traditional epithet for the Virgin Mary, promising guidance. How do you think its role as a possible popular print might have affected the image’s circulation and, therefore, its impact? Editor: I hadn't considered that. Mass production would definitely broaden its reach. Knowing that, the imagery feels even more powerful. Curator: Precisely! These inexpensive prints shaped religious beliefs and practices for a broad audience. Editor: That's a perspective shift for me, thinking about the socio-political impact of art.