Illustration X c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have "Illustration X," an intriguing piece of anonymous origin residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black lines against the pale ground give it a rather storybook quality, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely. It feels like a dream, or a half-remembered myth. The composition—king on his throne, woman beseeching him, the bed with figures laid out—creates a sense of narrative tension. What do you make of its structural elements? Curator: The composition is clearly divided, almost diptych-like. On the left, the implied narrative of loss, perhaps death, and on the right, supplication, justice, maybe even a new beginning. Editor: I love the little dog at the king's feet. There is a strange mixture of formality and naive charm that I find very compelling. It reminds me of the power dynamics that affect our daily lives. Curator: Indeed, the artist utilizes contrasting textures and spatial arrangements to evoke a complex interplay of power, loss, and hope within a deliberately contained structure. Editor: It's a fascinating, albeit strange, glimpse into a world of rulers, subjects, and, of course, loyal canines!