The Third Era: The Law of Grace of the New Testament c. 16th century

Editor: So, this is "The Third Era: The Law of Grace of the New Testament" by Hieronymus Wierix. It's an engraving, quite detailed. The figure of "Gratia" dominates, and I'm struck by how she's positioned between the Old Testament scene and the promise of the new. What do you make of this placement? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? Wierix situates "Grace" as a mediator, a figure deeply embedded in the socio-political anxieties of the time. The Reformation was raging, and imagery like this played a key role in shaping theological and political debates. Notice the discarded crown, the lamb... Who is empowered and who is being dispossessed in this image? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't really considered the political undertones of the crown. Curator: Exactly. It's less about pure religious devotion and more about the public performance of faith and power. Reflect on what the artist chooses to include and exclude, and you’ll see the politics of imagery at play. Editor: I see what you mean. Considering the historical context really illuminates the artist's choices. Curator: Precisely. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum.