Illustration from Adelphi, The Brothers c. 16th century

Editor: Here we see an illustration from the Adelphi, The Brothers, by an anonymous artist. The stark lines and staging give it a theatrical feel, almost like a scene frozen in time. How does this image reflect the social context of its time? Curator: This image, likely a woodcut for a printed edition of the play, speaks to the rising literacy and popular interest in classical works during the Renaissance. The setting, though simple, evokes classical architecture. How might the depiction of these brothers reflect contemporary ideas about kinship and social roles? Editor: That’s fascinating! It makes me think about how accessible art was becoming. I hadn’t considered that the image's starkness might actually be a function of its wider distribution. Curator: Exactly! The image's power lies in its accessibility, both visually and in terms of distribution, shaping public engagement with classical stories. This changes how we view art's cultural role.