Last Judgment c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have Michel Wolgemuth's woodcut, Last Judgment, a complex scene filled with figures of salvation and damnation. It feels very much of its time. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This print reflects anxieties around salvation that permeated the late medieval period. Notice the stark contrast between the saved, orderly on the left, and the chaotic, almost sexualized damned on the right. How does this division reflect the power structures of the time, particularly concerning gender and morality? Editor: So it’s about more than just religious beliefs? Curator: Absolutely. It uses religious imagery to reinforce social norms, especially regarding women's bodies and their perceived association with temptation and sin. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. Thanks for that. Curator: It's a powerful example of how art can be a tool for both spiritual expression and social control.