Christus met de evangelisten op de wolken 1776

Curator: It's a rather small engraving, isn't it? A bit austere for such a grand subject. Editor: Indeed. This engraving, “Christ with the Evangelists in the Clouds," was created in 1776 by Noach van der (II) Meer and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. What catches my eye is its almost stark materiality. Look at the lines, the clearly delineated spaces of ink on paper; it speaks to the reproductive nature of printmaking and its function in disseminating religious narratives. Curator: And the baroque style—certainly a conscious decision in the late 18th century. This wasn’t a newly innovative mode but rather a citation, perhaps evoking tradition and established power during a time of political and social change. I imagine such prints were rather inexpensive and were used as illustrations within religious texts or other printed ephemera in Amsterdam. The publishers sold religious views and promoted political goals. Editor: Precisely. The labour involved in creating multiple copies makes you think about its reach. The distribution network, the paper itself as a commodity – these are all part of the story the object whispers. The print is of modest quality. Was it created as inexpensive religious art available for purchase by everyone or just for religious adherents? And how does the visual language of religion adapt, materialize, and even commodify the divine in a readily available medium such as print? Curator: The inclusion of Christ with the Evangelists amidst turbulent clouds definitely leans into that tradition, using dramatic imagery to impress upon the viewer a sense of religious awe and the might of divine forces shaping worldly affairs. In contrast to the more traditional, established themes in Amsterdam society, there were very new voices starting to speak loudly in that era about government. Prints such as this one reinforced religious authority to those voices and viewers. Editor: A potent combination, I think. It’s a compelling snapshot of religious expression intertwined with political undertones in the visual culture of 18th-century Amsterdam. Curator: I agree; it showcases how the tools of printmaking contributed to broader cultural and political landscapes. Editor: A perfect example of the layers contained in what might appear at first glance a simple, rather ordinary, engraving.