Entombment c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut, "Entombment," is by an anonymous artist and resides at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white lines create a scene of profound sorrow. What social narratives do you see at play here? Curator: It's fascinating how this print, likely intended for wide distribution, engages with ideas of power and vulnerability. Consider the women in the scene; they are central to Christ's mourning, yet historically marginalized within the church's power structure. Where do you see potential resistance or affirmation within this dynamic? Editor: So, you're saying the print might subtly challenge the established patriarchal norms through its depiction of female grief and agency? Curator: Precisely. And consider the active role of the men on either side, carrying the body. How does this portrayal connect with other contemporary representations of the Passion? I find myself wondering about class as well: who was able to view this artwork, and how might it have been interpreted differently depending on their socio-economic status? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the distribution of art and its varied receptions. Curator: Indeed! This piece reveals how prints could act as both devotional objects and quiet sites of social commentary.