Flight into Egypt c. 17th century

Editor: This is François de Poilly the Elder's "Flight into Egypt", a striking print. I am drawn to the textures, especially the drapery and the tree trunk. What can you tell me about the making of this piece? Curator: Considering it's a print, the focus shifts to the labor involved in its production and distribution. How would the cost of materials and the division of labor in Poilly's workshop affected the accessibility of this image? Editor: That's a really interesting point! So it wasn't just about the artist's skill, but also about the economics of printmaking. Curator: Precisely. The social context of its creation and consumption is vital to understanding its meaning. What do you think about the relationship between high art and craft in the context of 17th-century printmaking? Editor: I hadn't considered that before! Thanks for offering that perspective. Curator: It highlights how value is constructed not just through artistic genius, but through the materials, labor, and systems of consumption.