Perkins, William c. 17th century

Editor: This is Renold Elstrack's portrait of William Perkins, a theologian who died in 1602. The detailed engraving gives the impression of an industrious scholar. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Let's consider the material conditions of its production. Engravings like this were reproducible; consider the printing press as a means of disseminating ideas. How does the use of such a medium affect our understanding of Perkins's legacy and the accessibility of knowledge at the time? Editor: So, the printing process democratized access to Perkins's image and writings? Curator: Precisely! It moves beyond a singular, precious object to a commodity circulating within a specific social context, shaping religious and intellectual discourse. It makes you think about who had access to it and how that influenced the spread of his teachings. Editor: I didn't realize how much the medium itself shaped the message. Curator: Indeed. Examining the materiality and distribution helps us understand the impact of art on society.