Christ Among the Apostles c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Nicolas Le Sueur's "Christ Among the Apostles," an intriguing sepia print at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the artist's linear technique and the almost uniform color. How do you read this piece? Curator: Let's look at this print as a product of its time. Consider the labor involved in the printmaking process in the 18th century. What does it mean to reproduce a drawing by Raphael del Colle through etching and engraving? Who was the target audience, and how did this affect its materiality? Editor: That's a unique approach! I hadn't thought about the social context of its creation and consumption. Curator: The choice of printmaking allowed wider circulation of religious imagery, impacting beliefs and artistic styles. The materials themselves tell a story of accessibility and the democratization of art. Editor: I see! Thanks for pointing out that the materials and methods speak to a larger cultural narrative.