Raising of Lazarus c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous piece, "Raising of Lazarus," from the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a raw, almost stark quality with its heavy lines. What do you see in this piece that speaks to its time? Curator: This woodcut likely circulated widely, making religious narratives accessible beyond the elite. Consider how its starkness and graphic nature served to convey a powerful message to a broad audience, shaping public understanding of biblical stories and reinforcing faith. Editor: So its value lies in its accessibility and influence? Curator: Precisely. Its artistic merit is intertwined with its social function, impacting how religious stories were visualized and disseminated within society. Editor: I hadn't thought about art in terms of its reach and social impact. Thank you. Curator: It highlights the power of images in shaping collective beliefs and cultural narratives.