Glaucus and Scylla c. 1661

Editor: This is Salvator Rosa’s print, "Glaucus and Scylla." The stark line work creates a dramatic scene. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The means of production here – the etching process – dictated much of the aesthetic. Look at the labor involved in creating those fine lines, and consider the social context: prints made art more accessible, a commodity for a wider audience. Editor: So it’s not just about the mythological narrative, but also about how it was made and consumed? Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the print itself transforms the way the story of Glaucus and Scylla is experienced. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure!