The Inferno According to Dante c. 1612

Editor: This incredibly detailed print, "The Inferno According to Dante" by Jacques Callot, is just overwhelming! The sheer number of figures is captivating, and the circular composition is fascinating. What do you make of the materials and the production of such an intricate work? Curator: As a materialist, I'm drawn to how Callot's printmaking process – the labor of etching, the paper itself, and the potential for mass production – democratized this vision of hell. How does viewing this as a commodity, circulated and consumed, change your understanding of its message? Editor: That's a great point. Considering it as a widely available print changes the impact. It’s not just a singular artistic vision, but something meant to be distributed and perhaps even commercialized. Thank you! Curator: Exactly, and by understanding its production, we can see how art engages with broader societal structures of labor and consumption.