Receiving the Stranger c. 17th century

Editor: This is “Receiving the Stranger” by David Custos. It feels very staged, like a scene from a play. With so many figures and details, it’s hard to know where to focus. What social messages do you think Custos was trying to convey? Curator: This print speaks volumes about the cultural values of hospitality and charity. Notice the division of space: the foreground highlights acts of service, while the background depicts more formal, possibly religious, settings. Custos seems interested in contrasting public performance and private devotion. What do you make of that contrast? Editor: It's almost like two different worlds coexisting. Is Custos perhaps commenting on the performative aspect of charity versus genuine compassion? Curator: Precisely! The composition suggests a critical perspective on the institutional roles and power dynamics inherent in charitable acts. It makes me wonder about the intended audience and the sociopolitical context in which this image circulated. Editor: That's a valuable insight into the power of art as social commentary. It certainly gives me a new perspective on this image.