Canto XVII. The Fifth Sphere: Mars; Cacciaguida Prophesies Dante's Exile from Florence c. 15th century

Curator: This is an anonymous woodcut illustrating Canto XVII of Dante’s Paradiso, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It visualizes Cacciaguida prophesying Dante’s exile from Florence. Editor: The scene is quite striking, with the figures rendered in stark contrast against the dense field of stars. There is a strange mood, though—almost dreamlike. Curator: Indeed. The technique, typical of early printed illustrations, emphasizes line and form over depth, which heightens the emotional impact. Consider the composition: figures grouped in the celestial sphere, starkly juxtaposed with those below in Verona. Editor: What stands out to me is how this image reduces complex theological themes to simple, digestible forms for a wider audience. The means of production and distribution would have been just as important as the image itself. Curator: Absolutely, the material conditions of its production—the wood, the printing press, the accessibility of printed text—shape our understanding of this work. Editor: Ultimately, the piece embodies a fascinating intersection between the spiritual and the material. Curator: I agree. It's a testament to the power of art to distill complex narratives into accessible visual experiences.