The Duke Dies in Captivity; His Children Presented to the White King c. 1514

Editor: This woodcut by Leonhard Beck, titled "The Duke Dies in Captivity; His Children Presented to the White King," depicts a somber scene. What symbols are most evocative to you in this piece? Curator: The dying Duke and the children being presented...notice how the White King observes from above. Consider the colors absent but implied: White suggests purity, but also coldness. What emotional weight does that carry in this context? Editor: It sounds like a loss of innocence and the cruel reality of power, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. Notice how Beck uses architectural elements to divide the scenes, emphasizing the separation of power and the vulnerability of the Duke's lineage. It’s a stark visual commentary. Editor: I see it now. The composition itself tells a story of captivity and helplessness. Curator: Indeed. Symbols and structure interweave to convey historical trauma and its reverberating impact.