Holy Family c. 17th century

Editor: This is Gérard Edelinck's "Holy Family" from the Harvard Art Museums, a print. It strikes me how the textures are rendered, almost tactile. What can you tell me about its material presence? Curator: The labor involved in creating this print is key. Consider the social context: how did prints like this circulate, making religious iconography available to a broader audience beyond the elite? It speaks to the changing dynamics of art consumption and distribution in that era. Editor: So, the *making* of it is important, too, not just the image. Curator: Precisely. By understanding the materials and production, we see it as part of a larger network of cultural exchange. What does this reveal about artistic labor and consumerism at the time? Editor: That totally changes how I see it! Curator: Exactly! Material conditions shape our understanding.