Scheiden van de schapen en de bokken en het laatste oordeel before 1571

Curator: It’s impossible to ignore the pervasive presence of religious ideology in shaping our historical understanding. Editor: This engraving, "Scheiden van de schapen en de bokken en het laatste oordeel," by Pieter Nagel, made before 1571, feels incredibly charged, doesn't it? With that stark division between sheep and goats and the heavenly judgment above. How do you interpret this work, considering its historical context? Curator: Nagel’s print presents a very literal depiction of social hierarchy justified through religious doctrine. The sheep, often seen as docile followers, are favored, while the goats, symbols of stubbornness and sin, are condemned. But I would challenge us to think about that reading. Who are the sheep and who are the goats in today’s society, and who decides? Editor: So, you’re saying that while the literal interpretation focuses on religious judgment, there's also a sociopolitical message about power dynamics? Curator: Exactly. Nagel was creating this print during a period of immense religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. How do the lines between obedience and disobedience, conformity and rebellion, manifest today in response to societal structures? It speaks volumes about the anxieties surrounding social order at the time, and that we can draw connections with present systems of oppression. Editor: I hadn't considered it that way, but I can see how relevant these allegorical images from the Northern Renaissance still are today. It is troubling to consider such deep division. Curator: Precisely! It's through engaging with art from the past that we can really scrutinize contemporary problems. We gain perspective on historical power structures. Editor: This has totally shifted my perspective. I'll definitely consider art’s societal role from now on. Thank you! Curator: Likewise. Recognizing the layers of meaning behind these images, is essential.