Samson and the Lion; verso: Sysra kills King Ayoth c. 15th century

Editor: This is a woodcut, "Samson and the Lion," with no date or artist known, here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a page from a book, with text above the image. The lines are so stark! What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's intriguing how this image and text function within the broader context of early print culture. The woodcut visually reinforces the religious narrative presented in the text, shaping public understanding and morality through readily accessible imagery. Editor: So, the image isn't just decorative, but also a tool for teaching and reinforcing religious beliefs? Curator: Precisely. The piece highlights how art serves a public role in shaping societal values and beliefs, especially through the politics of imagery. It really makes you think about the power of visual communication in the early modern period. Editor: I never thought about it that way! Thanks, that gives me a whole new perspective.