A Recumbent Bishop and Six Mathematicians 1540

Editor: This is "A Recumbent Bishop and Six Mathematicians" by Hans Holbein the Younger. It’s a small print, and the detail is incredible. I’m struck by the contrast between the ornate border and the grim scene at the bottom. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: For me, the focus lies in its production. This isn't just an image; it's a woodcut, a product of skilled labor and a specific printing process. Consider the social context: how were prints like these consumed, and what role did they play in the dissemination of knowledge and power? Editor: So, it’s more than just the image itself, but also how it was made and who it was for? Curator: Precisely. It challenges our notions of "high art" by examining its material existence and its place in a network of exchange. It moves beyond aesthetics and engages with the realities of materiality and consumption. Editor: I never considered how the means of production can be as important as the image itself! Thanks!