Abraham Greeted by the Innkeeper at the Brothel c. 15th century

Editor: This striking woodcut, "Abraham Greeted by the Innkeeper at the Brothel" by an anonymous artist, presents a fascinating scene. I’m drawn to the rough, almost crude quality of the lines. What can you tell me about this artwork? Curator: It's crucial to consider the labor and materials involved in its creation. Woodcuts were a relatively accessible printing method. How does the medium itself affect our reading of the subject matter, Abraham's encounter with a brothel? Editor: I see what you mean. The roughness of the lines almost seems to "democratize" the biblical narrative. So, the means of production inform the content? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context: was this print intended for a wealthy patron or a wider, perhaps less literate audience? That would affect our understanding of its function. Editor: That reframes the whole piece for me. I hadn't thought about the relationship between production and audience so directly. Curator: Indeed. It reminds us that art is always embedded in a network of social relations and material conditions.