Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata c. 1581

Editor: This small etching by Federico Barocci, "Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata," depicts a really dramatic moment. The detail is incredible for such a small work. What can you tell me about its creation? Curator: Well, let’s consider Barocci’s etching process itself. The marks, the lines—they speak to the labor involved, the physical act of creation. And consider the consumption of such an image: How did its availability impact the understanding of St. Francis for a wider audience? Editor: So you're focusing on the actual making of the art and who got to see it. Curator: Precisely. It moves beyond just the religious narrative to the social life of the object. Considering materials and production expands our understanding. Editor: I never thought about art in that way before!