Last Judgment c. 1486

Curator: Here we have an anonymous woodcut print titled "Last Judgment" from our collection. Editor: The stark black and white imagery and sharp lines evoke a sense of foreboding and finality. The resurrection of the dead seems full of anxiety. Curator: Representations of the Last Judgment, particularly in the medieval period, were often used to instruct viewers on morality and the consequences of sin. Note how each symbol is charged with meaning. Editor: The angels, the weighing of souls, the gestures of supplication—they all point to a complex system of belief and power dynamics within the church. But I also wonder about those being resurrected, their expressions... where are they in this system? Curator: Absolutely. This piece, while adhering to traditional iconography, also hints at a broader societal anxiety regarding salvation and damnation, a theme that continues to resonate today. Editor: Seeing the skeletons at the bottom of the frame is really driving that home for me. Curator: Indeed, it's a potent reminder of our mortality and the ever-present question of what lies beyond. Editor: I'll be thinking about this image for a while.