Flight into Egypt 18th-19th century

Curator: The first thing that strikes me is the stark contrast—the crisp detail against the softer, almost blurry background. Editor: Indeed. This is Francesco Morelli’s "Flight into Egypt," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The social context of religious iconography is quite interesting here. Curator: What is even more fascinating is the printmaking process required to achieve this range of textures and tones. Consider the labor involved in creating the matrix. Editor: Absolutely, labor processes play a role. And let's consider the role that images like this play in shaping public understanding of biblical narratives. Curator: It is amazing how a material object can shape historical understanding. Editor: Yes, these printed images were powerful tools in disseminating religious and cultural narratives. Curator: Precisely. It leaves you thinking about the means of production impacting cultural history. Editor: The intersection of production and perception is quite compelling.