The Expulsion from Paradise 1575

Editor: Here we have Johann Sadeler's "The Expulsion from Paradise," an engraving. The figures seem to be fleeing something. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The engraving’s material production reveals much about its time. Consider the labor involved in creating the plate, the social context of printmaking, and the intended consumption of these images. Editor: How so? Curator: Prints like these democratized art. They made biblical scenes accessible beyond the wealthy, influencing social and religious thought. Reflect on the paper itself, the ink, and the press – the materiality shapes its meaning. Editor: That's a great way to think about it! I hadn't considered the printmaking process as part of the message itself. Curator: Exactly!