Illustration XXXIX: Moses addresses the people of Israel before their entry in the Jordan, a brief discourse on all the events that have come to pass (Deuteronomy 1). c. 16th century

Curator: This image, held at the Harvard Art Museums, depicts Moses addressing the Israelites before crossing the Jordan, as described in Deuteronomy. It is titled, Illustration XXXIX: Moses addresses the people of Israel before their entry in the Jordan, a brief discourse on all the events that have come to pass (Deuteronomy 1). Editor: The tight composition and contrasting lines give it a certain urgency. It feels like a pivotal moment, filled with both anticipation and anxiety. Curator: The artist, who unfortunately remains anonymous, uses very deliberate imagery. Note the gestures, how Moses' hand is raised in instruction, and how the crowd is arranged. It visually conveys leadership and communal listening. It also speaks to the cultural importance of retelling and remembering, a central theme in Deuteronomy. Editor: Absolutely. And the landscape, reduced as it is, creates a backdrop of both promise and uncertainty. It mirrors the emotional landscape of the people. The lack of color focuses our attention on the narrative being communicated. Curator: I appreciate how the artist, despite the visual constraints of the medium, successfully evokes a sense of scale and collective destiny. Editor: Indeed, it's a powerful reminder of how art can convey potent political and psychological messages, even across centuries.