A Monk went to the House of a Hermit and Killed the Hermit's Dog c. 15th century

Editor: This is a woodcut print called "A Monk went to the House of a Hermit and Killed the Hermit's Dog" from 1485, made by an anonymous artist. It’s rather shocking, isn’t it? What symbolic meaning might we find here? Curator: The dog is often viewed as a symbol of loyalty and spiritual guardianship. Its death, especially at the hands of a religious figure, could signify a disruption of spiritual balance, or perhaps a critique of religious hypocrisy. What feelings does it stir in you? Editor: I suppose it feels a bit like the corruption of innocence. What does the figure of the hermit represent in contrast to the monk? Curator: The hermit is often seen as an isolated figure, one who has rejected worldly life in pursuit of spiritual purity. The act committed by the monk violates that purity. I wonder, does this image suggest a conflict between institutionalized religion and individual spirituality? Editor: It seems to imply that, yes. I'm left contemplating the consequences of corrupted power.