Plate II c. 16th century

Curator: Hans Schäufelein created this print, “Plate II,” sometime between his birth in 1480 and death in 1540. It's a striking image currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The stark contrast immediately strikes me. There’s something almost austere about it, despite the elaborate clothing. Curator: The textures are quite remarkable for a print. Schäufelein likely used woodcut or engraving to achieve this level of detail in the clothing and the figures' postures. Notice the line work suggesting depth. Editor: Indeed, and thinking about its reception, it suggests a period of social stratification. Consider how prints like these circulated, reinforcing or even challenging existing power structures through visual representation. Curator: Absolutely. The labor involved in crafting such a detailed image would be considerable, reflecting the value placed on craftsmanship. We can ponder about the economics of printmaking and distribution in that period. Editor: Exactly. Prints played a vital public role, disseminating ideals about class, gender and status in their historical moment. They have been pivotal in shaping our understanding of the past. Curator: A valuable point; understanding the socio-economic context is crucial to how we perceive such works. Editor: And considering art's public role makes it an extremely dynamic field.