Illustration XX c. 16th century

Editor: This is Illustration XX, by an anonymous artist, housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a woodcut, very linear. What's striking to me is how seriously these two figures are engaged with the book; what do you make of it? Curator: Well, consider the rise of print culture. This image participates in the larger social phenomenon of making knowledge more accessible, though still within specific social strata. Editor: So, who would have seen something like this? Curator: Probably those with access to printed material, wealthy merchants or scholars. This image normalizes the exchange of knowledge, while subtly reinforcing existing hierarchies. What do you think it tells us about the role of the artist here? Editor: I see your point! I guess art isn't just about aesthetics; it can be about power too. Curator: Exactly! Art serves, reflects, and critiques the world around it.