The Nude Girl and the Abbot, from The Decameron 1534

Hans Schäufelein created this small woodcut, "The Nude Girl and the Abbot," as part of an illustrated edition of Boccaccio's "The Decameron." The composition is tightly packed, almost claustrophobic. Schäufelein uses dense, parallel lines to create texture and shadow, emphasizing the characters' expressions and the folds of fabric. Notice how the lines on the table draw your eye to the center of the image, while the contrast between the stark lines and the soft curves of the nude figure creates tension. The scene encapsulates the themes of lust and hypocrisy that run through "The Decameron." The formal qualities of the artwork, like the compressed space and the emphasis on texture, serve to amplify the story's critique of social and religious norms. The piece prompts questions about the boundaries of morality and the pervasive presence of desire, reflecting the broader humanist concerns of the Renaissance.