The Society of Anabaptists c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have Virgil Solis's "The Society of Anabaptists." I find the sheer number of figures overwhelming, a bit chaotic, even. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Consider the Reformation context. Solis, working in the 16th century, depicts Anabaptists, a radical religious group. This wasn't necessarily a neutral portrayal. Editor: So, it’s a commentary? What’s the message? Curator: Likely a critical one, playing into societal anxieties about religious dissent and communal living. Notice how the composition might suggest disorder and a breakdown of social norms. What do you think the setting implies? Editor: I hadn’t considered the social implications. I see now that the artist is using the setting to create social commentary. Curator: Exactly. Art serves as a mirror reflecting, but also shaping, public opinion and reinforcing societal power structures.