Canto I. The Ascent to Heaven; The Order of the Universe c. 15th century

Editor: This is an image of a page from an edition of Dante's *Paradiso*, titled "Canto I. The Ascent to Heaven; The Order of the Universe," made anonymously. It has both text and an illustration. I'm struck by how detailed the woodcut is, considering the time it was made, but what exactly are we seeing here? Curator: As a materialist, I'm drawn to the production process. The woodcut implies a system of labor, where someone physically carved the image. Also, notice the texture of the paper itself and the arrangement of text, indicating a cultural value placed on knowledge and its dissemination. What does the combination of image and text tell us about art making at this time? Editor: So, you're suggesting we consider not just the image, but also the whole process of creating and distributing this page to understand its cultural significance? Curator: Precisely. This piece challenges our modern ideas about art by inviting us to consider it as a result of material conditions, labor, and the social context of its making. Editor: That's a perspective shift for me, looking beyond just the artistic imagery to consider the means of its creation and its place in society. Thanks!