Two Monks Burying a Woman; Monk at a Loom with a Young Maiden c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have "Two Monks Burying a Woman; Monk at a Loom with a Young Maiden" by an anonymous artist. It's hard to put my finger on the exact date, but the coloring and composition give it a medieval feel. The scene of the monks burying the woman is quite solemn. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful exploration of the roles and expectations placed upon women within monastic orders. The woodcut reflects societal anxieties surrounding female agency. Editor: Anxieties? Can you say more? Curator: Consider the contrast: the deceased woman, being attended to by men, and the living maiden at the loom, seemingly productive, contained. Notice the text accompanying the images, which could offer further clues about their societal role. The medium itself, a woodcut, makes me think about accessibility. Who was this image made for, and what message was it intended to convey? Editor: I never thought about the audience! That shifts my perspective completely. Curator: Exactly! And who is omitted, too?