Leven van de heilige Gregorius de Grote 1604

Editor: We’re looking at "The Life of Saint Gregory the Great," a 1604 engraving currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The central image is striking, but it’s framed by these smaller narrative scenes that almost feel like a comic strip. How would you interpret the use of this format, and the piece in general? Curator: It's a fascinating example of how art served to both instruct and reinforce societal values. Prints like this were often commissioned by religious orders and distributed widely. What do you think this format conveys about the artist's intentions and the perceived role of art in 17th-century society? Editor: Well, given the context, the multiple scenes must’ve served an educational purpose. Maybe that was to promote particular stories about Saint Gregory. Is that a common function for art of this era? Curator: Exactly. Think of this print as a visual sermon. The Baroque era witnessed the Church's energetic promotion of its teachings, particularly after the rise of Protestantism. This work functions as propaganda in a way; using visual storytelling to cement the legacy of Saint Gregory, and subtly remind the viewers of the power and history of the Catholic Church. Do you think the image succeeds at that? Editor: Seeing it framed like this makes the image almost digestible, like an iconic snapshot of different events, making it accessible to the public and hard to ignore the intended religious message. I suppose this shows that visual pieces such as engravings, which seems common in the Baroque era, had some sort of political function. Curator: Precisely. Its historical context is what truly brings "The Life of Saint Gregory the Great" into focus. I will now have a greater awareness for its role in public and political discourse. Editor: Thanks for pointing out the significance behind it.