The King of Moab Sacrifices His Son on the Wall (reverse: The Prophet Isaiah Was Sawed in Two) c. 1470

Editor: This is an anonymous artwork titled "The King of Moab Sacrifices His Son on the Wall." I'm struck by its directness and, well, the unsettling subject matter! What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: From a materialist perspective, consider the production. This likely comes from a book, perhaps a chronicle. What does the use of ink and the printing process say about accessibility and dissemination of such a gruesome story at the time? Think about the labor involved. Editor: So, it's not just about the image, but also about how it was made and who had access to it? Curator: Precisely. How does the act of illustrating such a scene implicate the artist and the patron in the act of consumption, both literally and figuratively? Editor: I never thought about art that way before, looking at the materials and the process to understand its meaning. Thank you! Curator: It offers a different lens, revealing the socio-economic context in which art is produced and consumed.