Saint Margaret c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have Israhel van Meckenem the Younger's "Saint Margaret", an engraving. The detail is incredible! What can you tell me about the production of this print? Curator: Look closely at the lines. Each one was carved into a metal plate, likely copper, a labor-intensive process. Consider the socio-economic factors: who commissioned this, who bought it, and what statement did owning this relatively mass-produced image convey? Editor: It's amazing to think about the labor involved. How does that influence our understanding? Curator: The texture, the line work, all speak to a specific kind of production, and consumption. How accessible would an image like this have been, compared to a painting? The very materiality influences the viewer's relationship with the subject. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but it makes total sense! Curator: Exactly! It prompts us to consider the art market, the rise of printmaking, and their impact on art.