Saint Michel c. 19th century

Editor: This is Henri-Guillaume Chatillon's "Saint Michel." It's an engraving, and the detail is amazing! What strikes me is the stark contrast between Saint Michael and the defeated figure. What do you see in terms of how it was made? Curator: Look at the paper itself. Its fibers, its source. Consider the labor involved in creating the plate, the acid etching, the repetitive act of printing. Were there workshops? Assistants? The means of production tell a story of social context. Editor: So, the materials and process inform how we understand it? Curator: Absolutely. The choice of engraving, a readily reproducible medium, speaks volumes about accessibility and distribution of imagery within its specific time. We consider materiality! Editor: I see, understanding its production gives us context. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. Examining the process of making challenges traditional boundaries between high art and craft.