Saint Peter c. 16th century

Curator: Looking at this small, roughly hewn woodcut, I immediately feel a sense of history, of a story passed down. It's almost dreamlike. Editor: This anonymous work depicts Saint Peter, and I find it striking how it encapsulates the complex history of power, religion, and image-making. Curator: The stark black and white, the somewhat primitive rendering of Peter holding his key—it’s got this raw quality, almost unsettling. Editor: Keys, in this context, represent the church’s power, a power historically intertwined with the oppression of marginalized groups and the reinforcement of social hierarchies. Curator: Yes, but there's also a vulnerability in his face, like a quiet questioning of his own authority. Editor: Perhaps. However, it's important to remember the context. These images were tools, enforcing specific narratives and ideologies. Curator: I see both things at once, the weight of history, and a flicker of the human spirit. Editor: A complex tension, reflecting the ongoing struggle for interpretation and power.