Ninth Plague 15th-16th century

Curator: This striking woodcut, entitled "Ninth Plague," comes to us from an anonymous hand. The stark, contrasting lines immediately evoke a sense of dread and suffering. Editor: Absolutely. The textures are quite raw, almost brutal. You can practically feel the weight and density of that swarm descending upon them. What material was likely used? Curator: Likely a readily available wood, perhaps a fruitwood, given the fineness of some lines. But it's the depiction of the plague itself that I find compelling—the people, their bodies contorted in anguish, reflect the social and economic devastation caused by such a cataclysm. Editor: It's interesting to consider this plague as a form of enforced material scarcity, a disruption of labor and resources. The artist highlights the sheer vulnerability of the social fabric when faced with environmental catastrophe. Curator: Precisely. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply intertwined our survival is with the environment, and how profoundly systemic inequities exacerbate suffering. Editor: Well, it’s certainly given me a lot to reflect on regarding material conditions and social strife. Curator: And for me, it underscores the long history of ecological anxiety and its impact on the human psyche.