Paulus de Kluizenaar (Elia?) gevoed door raven 1612 - 1614

Editor: Here we have Hendrick Goltzius's engraving from 1612 to 1614, "Paulus de Kluizenaar (Elia?) gevoed door raven," which translates to "Paul the Hermit (Elijah?) Fed by Ravens." The incredible detail achieved through the engraved lines really strikes me. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the material production. Goltzius was a master engraver. How does the reproductive nature of printmaking impact the understanding of the piece, particularly considering the biblical narrative depicted? Editor: That's interesting... It makes me think about accessibility. Printmaking democratizes the image, doesn't it, making religious stories more widely available. So, would it shift the piece away from pure religious symbolism, transforming it more into a common property through mechanical production? Curator: Precisely. And beyond the purely symbolic, consider the very materiality of the print. The labor involved in creating the plate, the cost of paper and ink...These are all factors in how the image would be consumed and valued in its time. Did the accessibility of the print make the viewer consider their relationship to labor? To their relationship to access? Editor: It is powerful to reframe it this way – it shifts the focus from divine intervention to a focus on the conditions of human life. Thank you for pointing that out. It truly changes my interpretation. Curator: The artist makes use of his available means, both materials and production, but he makes them readily available for an emerging consumer.