Two Monks and an Ass 15th-16th century

Curator: So, this woodcut, “Two Monks and an Ass,” depicts exactly that, surrounded by text. It’s fascinating, isn’t it, how religious figures are portrayed alongside the bestial? Editor: It’s… unexpected, definitely clashes with how I picture monastic life. What do you make of this juxtaposition? Curator: I wonder about the socio-political commentary. Who is creating this image? What class do they come from? This challenges the authority of the church, perhaps reflecting anxieties about the power structures of the time. Editor: Ah, so maybe it's not just a funny image, but a statement? Curator: Exactly. Art like this can unveil those hidden power dynamics, prompting us to question whose narratives dominate history. Editor: I’ll never look at a medieval woodcut the same way again! Curator: That’s the point, isn’t it? To always question, and always contextualize.