The Bath c. 15th century

Editor: This is "The Bath" by Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's chaos! There are children everywhere, and the scene feels so busy. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The print reflects the cultural anxieties around childhood and hygiene in the late medieval period. Notice how the architecture contrasts sharply with the children's wild abandon. How do you think the intended audience might have reacted to this juxtaposition? Editor: Maybe it was a moral commentary? Like, even in a structured society, childhood innocence—or lack thereof—will always break through? Curator: Exactly. The print engages with the role of the domestic sphere, suggesting underlying societal concerns. Editor: That's fascinating; I never would have considered the social commentary! Curator: Art often holds a mirror to society.