Dimensions: Image: 18.8 Ã 13.1 cm (7 3/8 Ã 5 3/16 in.) Plate: 20.3 Ã 14.4 cm (8 Ã 5 11/16 in.) Sheet: 22.7 Ã 16.5 cm (8 15/16 Ã 6 1/2 in.)
Copyright: CC0 1.0
Curator: This is Jean-Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non’s “Detail of Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling Featuring God the Creator And a Prophet,” held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a study, very immediate and raw. The hatching gives so much energy to the figures. Curator: Indeed. Saint-Non was an engraver, and he likely made this after a trip to Rome. The etching process itself—the acid biting into the plate—mimics the intense, monumental physicality of Michelangelo's original fresco. Editor: The choice to pair God the Creator with a prophet is compelling. It speaks to the complex relationship between divinity and human interpretation, especially during a period of religious and social upheaval. Curator: Absolutely. The materiality of the print—the paper, the ink—facilitated the distribution of Michelangelo’s vision. This artwork allowed for greater access to high art. Editor: It’s a testament to how art can transcend its original context, becoming part of ongoing dialogues about faith, power, and representation. Curator: Precisely. We see here an intimate glimpse into the process of disseminating and interpreting artistic masterworks. Editor: This piece shows how historical figures are rendered, challenged, and remain relevant through new lenses.
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