The Frankfurt Altarpiece of the Holy Cross 1606

Curator: This is "The Frankfurt Altarpiece of the Holy Cross" by Adam Elsheimer, painted around 1606, primarily in oil on copper. It's actually composed of seven separate panels. What are your first thoughts about it? Editor: It feels incredibly busy, almost overwhelming. The sheer number of figures is striking, especially when you consider the relatively small scale of each panel, and I am wondering how the materiality affects the narrative. How do you approach such a dense and complex work? Curator: I think it is crucial to look at the materials and Elsheimer’s technique here. Working on copper allowed for meticulous detail. How does that focus affect your interpretation of the subject matter? Editor: It definitely lends a sense of preciousness, which I think adds to the scenes’ gravity, and encourages us to slow down and observe each carefully wrought scene of suffering and exhalation. Curator: Exactly. But beyond the surface appeal, we must consider the context. What's the economic significance of using such a relatively rare material like copper? Who could afford something like this, and what would it communicate about their status? Editor: Presumably only wealthy patrons could afford this level of craft and materials, so commissioning this artwork may represent something about wealth, display, status… Is it more than just piety at play? Curator: Absolutely! The use of oil on copper not only shows refined craftsmanship but also indicates economic power. Now think, how might the act of viewing something so materially valuable impact a viewer from a lower socioeconomic class? Editor: That’s a point I hadn’t considered. It introduces another layer of social commentary to the already charged religious themes, creating almost a visual metaphor for the disparities in wealth at the time. Thank you! Curator: Precisely! Art is so closely tied to labour, materials and processes that all reflect historical forces at play.