Illustration XLII c. 15th century

Editor: This is Illustration XLII by an anonymous artist, and it’s held at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark lines and composition make it feel quite medieval to me. What visual cues stand out to you? Curator: The figure labeled "AGEO" immediately draws my eye. In iconography, labels were crucial for identifying figures, especially in religious contexts. What emotional associations does his posture evoke for you? The scroll unfurling his name reminds me of prophecies being proclaimed. Editor: He seems important, maybe a prophet? I hadn’t considered the scroll as a symbol of prophecy, just identification. Curator: Precisely. And the building under construction, perhaps a temple? Think about the cultural memory embedded in images of rebuilding, renewal. What does it tell us about the intended audience? Editor: That it’s a message of hope and reconstruction after some sort of destruction. Thank you, that was really insightful!