Lamentation c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have Albrecht Altdorfer's woodcut, "Lamentation." It's a very small piece, only about 7 by 5 centimeters. Editor: It's instantly gripping, isn't it? Even at that scale, the emotion is palpable. The grief feels raw, exposed. Curator: Altdorfer was a master of the woodcut, a relatively inexpensive and accessible medium, which allowed for the widespread distribution of his images. We can see a focus on the materials of printmaking. Editor: I feel like the stark black and white amplifies the drama. It's like a spotlight on suffering. Curator: Absolutely. The stark contrasts and the relatively crude lines are characteristic of the woodcut technique, and also lends itself well to express such anguish. Editor: It makes me think about the economics of art in the 16th century, actually—how these prints made religious subjects accessible to a wider audience. Curator: Precisely. These devotional images served a very important function, and it's crucial to understand the print-making as a commercial enterprise. Editor: It's interesting to contemplate how something so intimate could also be part of a mass-produced object. Curator: Indeed. The convergence of piety and production truly highlights the social and cultural milieu. Editor: I'm moved by how a simple image can evoke something so profound.