Illustration XV c. 1489

Curator: Here we see "Illustration XV," an anonymous engraving residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Immediately, I'm struck by the stark contrast between the dense text and the roughly hewn image. Editor: Yes, the blocky figures seem trapped within the rigid confines of the lettering above and to the side. The composition feels intentionally cramped. Curator: The artist uses hatching to create volume in the figures’ robes and to suggest shadows, which lends a sense of depth to the scene despite the relatively flat picture plane. Note the symbolic gesture of the bloody patch on one of the figures' hands. Editor: Indeed, that crimson stain powerfully conveys guilt and violence, linking the scene to narratives of betrayal and unjust accusation. These figures in their caps and robes certainly evoke the authority figures present at the trial of Jesus. Curator: The rough texture of the lines and the limited palette amplify a feeling of anxiety. It speaks to the fragility of justice in the face of entrenched power. Editor: It makes you wonder about the image’s intended audience and the emotional impact such a scene would have had. We may never know the author's intention, but we can appreciate the work's design.