Two Men in Conversation Attempting to Put Things into Proper Perspective

This piece," James tells us, "was influenced by Gothic painting and manuscript illumination but the departure point is, of course, a pun on the word 'perspective.' For centuries, old men in villages have sat around tables and philosophized, trying to put life into perspective. Here are two fellows -looming large because they're the main subjects of the image as well as the center of their own conversation - discussing the community around them, the different strata of society being represented by a nobleman, scholar, beggar and so on. Once rumor and innuendo are nicely digested, this duo may chew on larger issues."