Twee acteurs in gevecht 1621

Paul Göttich created this drawing of two actors fighting in the early 17th century. The actors are on a stage, each holding a sword and wearing a mask. The artist, who was active in Augsburg, Germany, was employed by local theatrical institutions. It's important to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. Paul Göttich worked for the local schools and he designed and produced costumes and stage sets for them. In Germany at the time schools were run by the church and by local municipal councils. Local religious institutions frequently used theater to teach moral lessons. The fact that this image is in a book also tells us a lot. This was not a work displayed in a gallery. It was a sketch kept for reference and record. Understanding this image requires an understanding of the institutions of art and the social context in which it was made. Historians consult institutional records, diaries, letters, newspapers, and other period sources to get a clear picture of the artist and the social function of art.