Coronation of the Virgin c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing piece, a woodcut print titled "Coronation of the Virgin" by an anonymous artist. What strikes you about it? Editor: Well, the rough lines and the dense text surrounding the image give it a very archaic, almost mystical feel. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see a fascinating blend of the spiritual and the practical. The coronation itself, rendered with such strong, simple lines, speaks to the importance of the Virgin Mary in religious life. The surrounding text, although dense, was actually meant to educate the viewer. Can you imagine what it was like to encounter this image in its own time? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it as educational! That makes me think differently about the whole piece. Curator: Right? It's always rewarding to reconsider our first impressions.