Illustration from Adelphi, The Brothers c. 16th century

Editor: This illustration from "Adelphi, The Brothers" is anonymous. I'm struck by the stark simplicity and the way the lines define the figures and space. What can you tell me about how it was made and its context? Curator: Let's consider the labor involved in creating a printed image like this. The materials, the tools, and the skill required to carve the block—probably wood—are central. This image functioned as part of a larger commodity, influencing the reader’s experience. Editor: So the process and its place in the market really shape the artwork's meaning? Curator: Precisely. Thinking about the means of production reveals so much about its value and purpose within society. We also have to consider its effect on the consumers of the time. Editor: I never thought about it that way! Curator: Considering labor helps challenge what we even deem as ‘art.’