Saint John the Evangelist writing his third letter to Gaius c. 15th century

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut, *Saint John the Evangelist writing his third letter to Gaius.* I’m struck by how it places two distinct figures within an ornamented initial "I." What can you tell me about the visual and social context of this artwork? Curator: This print visualizes early Christian communication, but also reveals how identity was constructed. John, often idealized, is juxtaposed with Gaius, possibly presented with what was, at the time, middle eastern cultural markers. How might such visual representations reflect the social biases of the period? Editor: So, the way they're depicted tells us about more than just their story; it tells us about who made the art and their worldview. Curator: Precisely! This challenges us to think about how images perpetuate or challenge historical power dynamics. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. It makes me wonder about the intended audience, and how they might have interpreted it. Curator: Exactly. Considering the audience helps us unravel layers of meaning embedded within this relatively simple image.