The miracle of the five loaves and two fish 

Editor: This is “The Miracle of the Five Loaves and Two Fish” by Lucas Cranach the Elder, an oil painting. There is a lot of going on in this painting! It feels so detailed with so many figures included. I wonder how Cranach approached the labor of this work? What's your take on this painting? Curator: The execution is indeed meticulous, a real product of workshop practice and Cranach’s keen awareness of his market. We need to consider the very materiality of the paint. Think of the cost of pigments at the time and the labor required for their production! That blue would have been extraordinarily expensive. Also, the scale of production is a crucial point. How did Cranach's workshop manage to produce these paintings for widespread consumption? Editor: So, you’re saying it’s not just about the religious story itself, but also about the economic and material processes behind the painting? Curator: Precisely! Look closely at the bare feet of some of the figures. It's easy to read that as mere historical detail, but how does it subtly communicate status? Are we meant to admire or pity these people and how might that affect their position as consumers of Cranach's work? It subtly comments on social hierarchy. Editor: That makes me look at it so differently! It's easy to get lost in the narrative and not think about the process behind its creation. Curator: Exactly. By focusing on materials and means of production, we get a much richer understanding. These paintings circulated widely and impacted social and religious life at the time. Thinking about labor and production gives us a grounding beyond the typical art historical focus on authorship or artistry alone. Editor: It definitely adds a new perspective. Thanks, I have so much to think about now! Curator: You're welcome! It’s important to question the context, and the methods behind these paintings rather than only considering the stories they convey.