Illustration from Adelphi, The Brothers c. 16th century

Editor: This is an illustration from "Adelphi, The Brothers" by an anonymous artist. It's striking how the linear quality emphasizes the figures' clothing. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Look at the woodcut’s lines—think of the labor involved in creating this reproducible image. How does the uniformity of the line comment on the social structures of the time, and the relationship between art production and the potential for wider consumption? Editor: So, it's less about the figures themselves and more about the context of its creation and consumption? Curator: Precisely. This work encourages us to consider the economic and social implications embedded in the very means of its production. Editor: That gives me a lot to consider, thank you!