Interior of S. Peter's c. 1823

Editor: This print, "Interior of S. Peter's" by Luigi Rossini, has such incredible detail. The figures give a sense of scale to this massive interior. What strikes you about it? Curator: Considering this print, let's think about the means of its production. How does the labor involved in creating such a detailed print, and its potential for wide distribution, democratize access to the grandeur of St. Peter's? It transforms the experience into a commodity. Editor: That's a fascinating point. So, the act of creating and distributing the print changes the meaning of the space itself? Curator: Precisely! It shifts the emphasis from solely religious experience to one of consumption and accessibility. Think about the materiality, too. The paper, the ink, the printing press—all contribute to this transformation of sacred space. Editor: I never considered the materials in that way before. Curator: It’s about understanding how the process of making affects the art itself.