St. Gregory (copy) 1511 - 1600

Hans Baldung created this woodcut of Saint Gregory in the first half of the 16th century. The image shows the Pope seated on his throne, wearing a crown and holding a book. Made in Germany, the print reflects the religious and political tensions of the Reformation, during which many questioned the authority of the Pope. Woodcuts like this one were relatively cheap to produce and easy to distribute, making them a popular medium for spreading propaganda. The print could have been used to affirm the Pope’s authority, or, conversely, to satirize it. To understand its meaning fully, we need to consider the print’s original context, including the religious and political debates of the time. Art historians consult a range of sources to understand the cultural and institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of art. In the end, the meaning of art is always contingent on its historical and social context.