Ch. 3. On the election of the sisters and the administrarion of monastery property c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut, "Ch. 3. On the election of the sisters and the administration of monastery property," depicts a group of nuns. It feels very formal and institutional. What can you tell me about the public role of this imagery? Curator: Considering the title, it likely illustrates a chapter heading related to monastic governance. The transfer of keys symbolizes power and property. How might this image function to legitimize the monastery's authority? Editor: Perhaps it visually reinforces the established order and the role of women within it. Curator: Exactly. Images like this were often used to project an image of stability and divine sanction in a world where institutions, even religious ones, were subject to political pressures. This shifts our understanding, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely, it's not just a simple depiction, but a political statement.