In episode 2, Ann and Tru lay out the beginnings of printing in the West in the 1400s. It all starts with the printing of the Bible. Tru describes the role of paper, books, and prints in the fifteenth century. Also they talk about who would be the audience for these new, accessible treasures. The beginning of the printing press and moveable type is probably the single most important development in human history. 

During the episode, a handful of prints are talked about specifically. Images and captions are below. 

Platemark series two: History of Prints
Co-hosts: Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig
Producer: Ann Shafer
Theme music: Michael Diamond

With Platemark episode 108, we came to the end of the first series of Platemark. We may add occasional bonus episodes, but for the moment, we are moving on to series two.

Platemark series two, History of Prints (HoP) will dive into the history of Western prints and printmaking from their inception, c. 1400, and bring listeners on a journey all the way up to the present. For this series we have a new co-host, Tru Ludwig. If you've been following along, you will have heard me speak about Tru in other contexts. It was Tru who taught the history of prints for Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) using the print collection at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA).

Tru has an uncanny ability to engage students, even for the nearly four hours of standing and looking at prints required for each visit to the BMA's print room. Over the years, I've heard many a former student say Tru's class was their favorite class ever. The first episode features Ann and Tru talking about that class, the form it took, how we pulled it off, and the class's impact on hundreds of young artists.

Before we reach the first artist, Albrecht Dürer, we will release several episodes laying the ground work, including on the subject of the early history of printing and paper in Europe, Ann and Tru's art origins, materials and techniques, and the  unusual position Tru occupies as both artist and art historian. 
 
As episodes progress, images will be viewable on here. The podcast is available here and from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and iHeart Radio.
 
We welcome your comments and questions and hope you will share the podcast episodes with your friends. 

For clarity, here's Tru's bio:

Tru Ludwig is an artist and art historian specializing in prints and printmaking. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, he earned his BA in studio art and art history, with a minor in music history, from St. Olaf College. He holds an MA in art history from the George Washington University, and an MFA in printmaking and drawing from Towson University. Since 1999, he has taught in the Art Education, Art History, First Year Experience, and Printmaking departments at the Maryland Institute College of Art; and art history at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Ludwig's studio practice is devoted to large-scale woodcuts and multi-plate etchings which have been shown on four continents and are included in collections across the United States.

Platemark series two | History of Prints
Co-hosts: Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig
Producer: Ann Shafer
Theme music: Michael Diamond