Ch. 4. On charity and humility c. 15th century

Curator: This is "Ch. 4. On charity and humility," a print from an unknown artist, and it really strikes me with its simplicity. Editor: Indeed, the stark lines really amplify the message. Look at how feet-washing is presented, this ritual of service. It's heavy with symbolism. Curator: Absolutely. And in the historical context, feet are…material things that connect us to the earth, to labor, aren't they? This is about inverting the hierarchy. Editor: I imagine the woodblock had to be carved with precision to show the delicate hands and the coarse textures of robes. It's a tangible process. Curator: Yes, the artist used stark lines to express a very powerful message about the nature of power itself. Editor: I agree. Thinking about this now, it makes me question my own assumptions about value and labor.