Illustration II c. 1491

Editor: This is "Illustration II," an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums. The figures and landscape almost vibrate with energy, despite the primitive style. What story do you think it's trying to tell? Curator: Oh, I love that 'vibrating energy' take! I see a parable, perhaps about sowing seeds and where they fall. The sower, the seeds scattered… Do you see the bird? A hungry spirit, maybe? It's charmingly direct, isn't it? Editor: I do now! It feels like a visual sermon, almost. Thanks for pointing out the bird! Curator: It invites us to consider what we nurture and what simply gets snatched away. Food for thought, literally! A blessed little piece.