Illustration from Adelphi, The Brothers c. 16th century

Curator: This artwork, housed at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Illustration from Adelphi, The Brothers." It's by an anonymous artist. Editor: It has a strikingly simple, almost theatrical feel, like a scene from a play. The figures seem to be enacting some sort of agreement, maybe a treaty? Curator: Yes, the illustration presents two men in what appears to be a moment of encounter, perhaps of negotiation. This could very well be a symbolic representation of brotherhood, or a lack thereof. Editor: Given the cultural context of brotherhood and its historical exclusion of women and non-binary people, how can we reimagine this encounter to be more inclusive? Curator: Indeed, the visual language certainly evokes older ideas about class and gender roles. Perhaps the exchange also highlights the power dynamics inherent in such staged interactions. Editor: It serves as a reminder that even in narratives of kinship, the specter of power and exclusion often looms.