A Nun and a Friar, from Das Bossenbüchlein 1577 - 1587

This is a pen and ink drawing by Mathais Beitler, created sometime between 1577 and 1587. It is part of the *Das Bossenbüchlein* (The Little Book of Jokes). The drawing depicts a nun and a friar, standing in a landscape setting. In the background is a city with a monastery, and another friar is standing in the distance, possibly reacting to their interaction. The scene is a playful representation of a joke, characteristic of this series. This piece is a rare example of humorous religious art from the 16th century.