The Proprieter of Things - Labors of the Month c. 1500

Editor: This is an intriguing image. "The Proprietor of Things - Labors of the Month," artist unknown, looks like a woodcut print, portraying activities associated with different times of the year, almost like a wheel of life. I'm curious about its purpose and how it would have been received. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Considering a materialist perspective, I focus on the means of production and consumption. The labor that goes into creating such a print, the paper, the ink, the distribution—these speak to the social context of its creation. How does the repetitive, cyclical nature of the depicted labor relate to the lives of those who would have consumed this image? Editor: That makes me think about the cost of the materials and labor. Curator: Exactly! Who could afford this? Was it a functional calendar, a decorative item, or something else entirely? Understanding its materiality helps us understand its role in society. Editor: So it's less about the artistic intention and more about how it functioned in the world. Thanks, that really shifts my perspective!