Saint Catherine of Alexandria 1824

Editor: So, this is Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers' "Saint Catherine of Alexandria," at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a print, and she seems so serene, almost idealized. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Consider the role of reproductive prints in disseminating imagery. How do prints like this one contribute to shaping public perception of historical figures and religious icons? Editor: That's interesting. I guess I never really thought about how people accessed images before photography. Curator: Exactly! Prints made art accessible, shaping popular piety and political allegiances. The print media in 19th century enabled and amplified the politics of imagery, in which the public became a vital audience. Does that shift your initial perception of the work? Editor: Definitely. It's not just a pretty picture, it's a cultural artifact. Curator: Precisely. It is reflective of both artistic skill and societal consumption of imagery. Editor: I'll never look at prints the same way again. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure, every artwork has so much more to offer when we consider its history.