Madonna and Child With Saints and Angels 16th-17th century

Curator: This is Johann Sadeler I's engraving, Madonna and Child With Saints and Angels, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about it? Editor: It's the drama of light and dark for me, the way everything emerges from the shadows. Very theatrical! Curator: Absolutely. It's a prime example of how late 16th-century printmakers used chiaroscuro to enhance the emotional impact of religious scenes. Editor: And there’s this sense of grandiosity, but also intimacy, with the angels almost whispering secrets to the Holy Family. Curator: Consider, too, how prints like these circulated widely, shaping religious imagery and devotional practices across Europe. Editor: I see that drama playing out still! It's not just an image, it's a stage. Curator: Precisely, and its enduring power lies in its ability to capture the imagination. Editor: A beautiful blend of reverence and artistic flair.