Funeral of the Wife of the White King c. 1514

Editor: Here we have Leonhard Beck's "Funeral of the Wife of the White King," a somber scene rendered in ink on paper. The sheer number of figures is striking. What can you tell me about this print? Curator: Look at the repetitive, almost industrial quality of the lines. Consider the labor involved in producing multiple impressions. This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about disseminating a message widely. Who was meant to see this? Editor: Perhaps a specific social class? The "White King" implies royalty. Curator: Precisely. The print medium allowed for controlled distribution of imagery, shaping perceptions of power and mourning rituals within a specific social strata. What does that say about the function of art here? Editor: It’s more than decorative; it's a tool for social messaging and control. I hadn't considered the impact of mass production on its meaning. Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the print reveals its active role in shaping social and political landscapes.