Saint Christopher c. 16th century

Editor: This is Lucas Cranach the Elder's "Saint Christopher." I’m really struck by the detail in this print. It makes me wonder, what does the process of printmaking reveal about the artist's intentions here? Curator: Well, consider the labor involved in carving the woodblock itself, the tools, the physical effort, and the access to materials. This wasn't mass-produced in the way we understand it now, but it was a step towards broader dissemination of imagery, and thus, ideas. How does thinking about the means of production alter your understanding of its religious content? Editor: It’s interesting to think about the interplay between the craft of printmaking and the traditional subject matter. Curator: Exactly. It forces us to consider how religious iconography becomes a commodity, mediated by the artist's skill and the accessibility of the print. Editor: This is such a different way to think about religious art. Thanks for sharing your perspective! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art this way helps us challenge the typical hierarchy.