Illustration from Brant, Navis Stultifera c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut, titled "Illustration from Brant, Navis Stultifera," by an anonymous artist, depicts two figures pulling a wheeled device. I’m struck by how raw and handmade it feels. What can you tell me about the materials and production of this work? Curator: Consider the labor involved in woodcut printing at the time. The artist, or perhaps a workshop, meticulously carved the image into a block. The materiality and labor here raise questions about the value placed on craft versus "high art." And the social context: who was this accessible to? Editor: It makes me wonder about the skill and time involved. Curator: Exactly! Think about consumption too; how would the average person interact with the image? Hopefully, looking at it this way enhances your understanding. Editor: Definitely. Considering the labor and accessibility really changes how I see it.