Zacchaeus in the Tree c. 1585

Editor: This is Hans Collaert the Elder’s “Zacchaeus in the Tree,” I don't have a date for it, and it appears to be a print. The figures seem so crowded together. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Collaert's print highlights the material conditions of image production and consumption. Consider the paper, the ink, and the labor involved in creating multiple impressions. How might these factors have influenced the print’s reception among different social classes? Editor: So, you're less focused on the biblical narrative and more on the production itself? Curator: Exactly. The multiple impressions would have made it more available to a wider audience. Editor: I see. So, it's not just about the religious subject but the act of making and distributing the image. Curator: Precisely, challenging the traditional art hierarchy. Editor: Thanks, that's given me a lot to think about regarding its meaning and accessibility.