print, woodcut, engraving
medieval
narrative-art
figuration
woodcut
genre-painting
history-painting
engraving
Dimensions height 580 mm, width 707 mm
This striking 16th-century print, "Brothel Scene," by the enigmatic Monogrammist AP, overflows with the timeless symbols of human folly. The image is dominated by scenes of revelry and chaos: gambling, feasting, and fighting. These are not merely depictions of everyday life, but potent symbols of moral decay. Note the figure of the fool, a motif dating back to antiquity, whose presence underscores the irrationality and absurdity of human behavior. The recurring motif of gambling, present here, is reminiscent of earlier depictions of the Wheel of Fortune, a symbol of the unpredictable nature of fate and the transience of earthly pleasures. The emotional intensity of the scene, the raucous laughter and violent outbursts, serve as a powerful reminder of humanity's vulnerability to its baser instincts. These symbols, passed down through generations, tap into a collective memory of moral lessons and cautionary tales, resurfacing again and again in art, literature, and popular culture.
Comments
On a cloud, Christ turns away in shame from the drinking and fornication in this brothel. Whatever originally transpired in the upstairs room at right was evidently in need of censorship. From the white lines, it seems that the woodblock was later adjusted. The activity in the bed was removed and replaced by a neutral insert: smoothed out bed linens. Items on the little bench are traces of the earlier scene.
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