Feeding the Hungry c. 1571

Curator: What strikes me immediately about this print is its energy, how Pieter Nagel uses line to create a sense of dynamic movement. Editor: Indeed. This print, titled "Feeding the Hungry," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, presents an interesting commentary on social structures through its composition. Curator: Look at the details: The bowls and baskets, the architecture in the background, and the figures themselves, all rendered with varying textures. I wonder about the means through which this image was circulated? Editor: Note also the way Nagel uses the architectural backdrop to frame the act of charity, elevating the scene. There is a certain theatricality to the scene. Curator: Right, because the production of printed images allowed these sorts of moral messages to reach a wide audience, and to influence behaviors, perhaps. Editor: The contrasts in tone and texture create a compelling visual experience. It's a fascinating composition. Curator: Understanding the economics of the printmaking trade offers a new lens. Thanks for your insight! Editor: The formal elements certainly enhance the narrative. A pleasure.