The Stragglers c. 1520 - 1530

Editor: So, this woodcut is called "The Stragglers," made around 1520-1530 by Jan Wellens de Cock. It feels… chaotic, almost feverish, with all these figures crammed together in such intricate detail. What’s your take on it? What catches your eye? Curator: Oh, the feverish intensity is definitely there! For me, it’s all about that fascinating tension between the grand, historical narrative it hints at – perhaps a biblical flight, or some other exodus – and the sheer awkwardness of the figures. The lines feel so deliberately, almost playfully, ungainly at times, don’t they? It's as if de Cock is poking fun at the heroic ideal, finding humanity in the… well, the stragglers! I keep wondering, who are these people and where are they going? Are they being driven, or following willingly? Editor: That's interesting. It’s true, they don't look particularly heroic. There's a vulnerability, a weariness about them. And you’re right, the lack of refinement is sort of endearing, compared to the High Renaissance art of the time. Curator: Exactly! This is Northern Renaissance, a world away from Italian idealization. It’s earthy, a bit rough around the edges, obsessed with detail in a way that almost overwhelms. I wonder, do you see hints of other contemporary art in the approach of de Cock? Maybe even theater set design and the grotesque style trending? Editor: Hmm, that's a perspective I hadn't considered. I’m now thinking about that relationship, not just to grand historical painting, but the contemporary popular entertainment as well, makes it resonate more deeply with the average viewer! Curator: See? Now you're finding new levels! It is like walking along and realizing that it had depth. Now what would that suggest for current artists?