The Spell

2023 · 50x53 cm, linocut A/p

Let's talk about the next engraving. In the center is the scared client from the previous artwork. He sits on the floor, empty mugs are scattered in front of him, beer is spilled. He points to a snake crawling towards him, and a giant frog creeps up on him from the other side. The brewers ignore the diabolical creatures because they can't see it, they are hallucinations of a drunken client. The women try to get him in order: a worried widow checks his temperature, and the young successor grins and supports the guest's shoulder. This artwork contains symbolism. The drunken man's hallucinations reflect his opinion of these brewers. A plump frog means an elderly widow, and an agile snake looks like a thin and tall girl. Alewifes do a good job and care about their customers, but they can't do anything about superstition and misogyny. The Church was aggressive towards alcohol, pubs and brewers. There are many literary sources depicting alewives as depraved temptresses and servants of the devil. As a result, the church did not ban, but took over the brewing business, and independent pubs began to disappear. In the next artwork I will tell you how this happened from legal and economical perspectives.