Cut XI c. 16th century

Curator: I'm struck by the frenetic energy in this anonymous print, "Cut XI," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Look at how the churning sea nearly engulfs the ship! Editor: Indeed, there's a real sense of precariousness. All of these figures are threatened by the water. Considering the historical context, are we looking at a specific colonial power dynamic? Curator: It is a powerful image, I think, regardless of its origins. Note the ship's prow, stylized as a grotesque sea creature. Editor: Yes, the grotesque seems to be at war with the human, perhaps representing a historical tension between the individual and their societal roles. Curator: A nice read. It seems this small image asks big questions about faith and humanity. Editor: Absolutely. Despite the limitations of the medium, the questions of humanity are clear.