Christ led away from Pilate 1596 - 1598

Curator: Zacharias Dolendo, active in the late 16th century, created this engraving called "Christ led away from Pilate." The print resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the contrast—the looming architecture versus the vulnerability of Christ. There's an emotional weight in the receding lines. Curator: Indeed, consider the composition. Dolendo employs a sophisticated understanding of perspective, drawing the eye through the figures and into the architectural space. Note the textures he creates with the varied line work. Editor: It is about the structures of power, isn't it? Christ, the marginalized figure, is flanked by armed guards, while the elite observe passively from above. It is a visual representation of systemic injustice. Curator: I agree. And the starkness of the medium amplifies that tension; the blacks and whites create a dramatic visual dichotomy. Editor: It's a potent reminder that these power dynamics are not relics of the past, they're constantly being reenacted around us. Curator: A close look at the work’s formal elements combined with its historical context really enriches our understanding. Editor: Absolutely, it invites us to reflect not just on the past, but on our present.