Christ Expiring on the Cross c. 17th century

Editor: This is Jean Audran’s "Christ Expiring on the Cross," created around the early 18th century. It's a print, and I’m struck by the sheer labor involved in creating such detail. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider how Audran, through meticulous engraving, transforms a religious scene into a commodity. The print medium allows for mass production and distribution, making it accessible to a wider audience. Does this shift the perception of the artwork? Editor: So, the value isn't just in the religious subject, but in the accessibility of the image itself? Curator: Precisely. The materials and methods of production become central to understanding its cultural impact. It challenges the traditional view of art as a unique, singular object. What does it mean when suffering becomes reproducible? Editor: I never thought about the printing process as part of the meaning, but now I see it's integral to understanding the work's impact.