Scenes from the Life of Susanna c. 16th century

Curator: This intriguing print, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Scenes from the Life of Susanna" and its creator remains unknown. Editor: My first impression is that it feels like a stage set, with different scenes unfolding in a single, compressed space. Curator: Exactly. It's a woodcut, so the anonymous artist used knives to carve the image into a block of wood. This allowed for multiple impressions to be made and distributed. Editor: I love the details, especially the clock tower and the figures peering over the walls, as if they are part of an audience watching Susanna's story play out. It's almost voyeuristic. Curator: The story of Susanna is a biblical one, recounting her unjust accusation of adultery. Prints like this, inexpensive and portable, helped to spread moral narratives, reinforcing social norms. Editor: In a way, it feels like early graphic storytelling, where the artist has to find a way to capture multiple moments in a single visual plane. It's fascinating to see how they solved that puzzle. Curator: Agreed, it prompts us to ponder the role of images in shaping narratives, even now. Editor: Ultimately, it speaks to the enduring power of storytelling and the human need to make sense of the world through images.