Death of Saint Simplicien and Saint Faustin; verso: Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen c. 15th century

Curator: Here we see an anonymous early print, "Death of Saint Simplicien and Saint Faustin; verso: Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. What's your initial take? Editor: Stark. The rudimentary coloring contrasts with the stark violence depicted. The woodcut's roughness lends it a raw, immediate quality—it feels like a direct transmission of brutality. Curator: Indeed. Notice the almost diagrammatic composition; the artist renders the martyrdoms with an emphasis on process. The executioners' actions are almost ritualized, displaying the labor of religious persecution. Editor: Exactly, it highlights the repetitive, almost mechanical nature of the violence. But look closely, the coarse lines and visible wood grain underscore the materiality of the print itself. This echoes the physical suffering represented; both image and depicted events are made tangible. Curator: Fascinating how the crude technique invites reflection on the very means of production and dissemination, connecting it to the broader social context of religious belief. Editor: Precisely. It's a potent reminder that even the simplest image bears witness to complex histories of making, belief, and power.