Bona Lombarda c. 15th century

Curator: This is a page from a historical text. The woodcut print depicts Bona Lombarda, and is by an anonymous artist. Editor: It’s stark, but evocative. The figure, though simplified, has a certain confidence, a kind of stoic energy. Curator: Observe the composition. The artist balances text and image, integrating the depiction of Bona Lombarda into the narrative. Editor: The lines are bold, almost crude, yet they define her form effectively. The dog is a nice touch, grounding her in a sense of place. Curator: Indeed. The stark contrast emphasizes the interplay between the idealized representation of the woman in relation to the conventions of printing at the time. Editor: I find myself wanting to know the story behind this image. There's a sense of a very particular individual, now lost to time, yet preserved here. Curator: It's a testament to the power of visual representation, even in its most rudimentary form, to convey a sense of character and historical context.