Christ Healing the Leper c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an interesting piece from the Harvard Art Museums collection, “Christ Healing the Leper”, created by an anonymous artist. Editor: The raw simplicity hits you first, doesn't it? That stark black and white, the unadorned lines… it's like a visual haiku, full of potent, unrefined feeling. Curator: Indeed. Woodcut prints like this were immensely popular, allowing for the wide distribution of religious imagery. This particular scene, of course, depicts a miracle. Editor: But look at the leper's face! It's such a grotesque, almost comic rendering of suffering. Does it heighten the miracle, or does it just... other the afflicted? Curator: It's a tricky balance, isn’t it? The artist likely aimed to show the transformative power of Christ, presenting the disease as something truly horrific to emphasize the healing. Editor: I see your point. Still, it makes me a little uneasy. It’s a stark reminder of how we often depict suffering in order to... well, to make a point. Curator: It's a mirror reflecting back at us. The artist provokes discomfort to make us consider the true meaning of compassion and divine intervention. Editor: So true. It makes you think, doesn’t it? And maybe that's the most miraculous thing of all.