Reynard Tied Up in the Monastery c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Allart van Everdingen's etching, "Reynard Tied Up in the Monastery." It's a small but intense image. What’s your read on this scene? Curator: This print offers a lens into power dynamics and social critique. The capture and display of Reynard, likely referencing the medieval allegorical figure, can be interpreted as a commentary on societal control and the persecution of those deemed "other." Consider the monastery as a space of both refuge and confinement. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s not just about a fox being caught? Curator: Precisely. It's about who gets to define justice and the potential for institutions to be instruments of oppression. The monks’ reaction is also telling, isn’t it? What does their stance suggest to you? Editor: It really makes you think about the stories we tell and who benefits from them. Curator: Absolutely. Art like this invites us to question the narratives we inherit.