Jacob the Lesser 15th-16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut titled "Jacob the Lesser." There's a striking sense of authority here, with Jacob standing on that ornate pedestal, almost daring you to question him. What do you make of it? Curator: I see a fascinating blend of the sacred and the…well, slightly bizarre! That halo seems almost like an afterthought given those gravity-defying curls. Does his facial expression seem somewhat quizzical to you, too? Editor: It does! Almost like he's unsure about the pedestal himself! I see your point about the halo. Curator: Perhaps the artist was going for a more human portrayal, questioning the conventional image of sainthood? It's a thought. Editor: I’ll never look at a halo the same way again. Curator: Excellent! That's what art should do, shake things up!