Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint Philip Neri Embracing c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Luca Ciamberlano’s "Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint Philip Neri Embracing." It's a touching scene, but rendered in what seems like very basic materials. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let's think about the conditions of its making. Look at the print’s lines; they suggest mass production. How does that affect the aura of the holy figures represented? Did the printing process democratize religious imagery, making it more accessible, or did it cheapen it? Editor: That’s a great point. I hadn't considered how the means of production influence our perception. Thanks! Curator: The materials themselves – the ink, the paper – are carriers of cultural meaning, reflecting consumption and accessibility in seventeenth-century Italy. Food for thought, yes?