Thodas the Magician gave counsel to the King that he should mislead his son - Scene from the Story of Jehosophat and Barlaam c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut print, "Thodas the Magician gave counsel to the King that he should mislead his son - Scene from the Story of Jehosophat and Barlaam," is by an anonymous artist. It’s packed with figures and symbolic elements, a bit chaotic even. What jumps out at you when you look at this? Curator: It’s a fascinating window into medieval storytelling. Notice the compartmentalized scenes, like a comic strip, each vignette revealing part of the narrative. The raw emotion and the almost dreamlike quality reminds me of a child's unfiltered imagination. What about that devilish figure on the left—any thoughts? Editor: It feels like a visual representation of inner turmoil, the struggle between good and evil for Jehosophat’s soul. Curator: Precisely! These early prints served as potent visual aids, democratizing complex narratives for a wider audience. Makes you wonder what stories we're crafting today, doesn't it?