Resurrection c. 15th century

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut called "Resurrection" from the Harvard Art Museums. The fallen soldiers contrast with Christ’s calm, upright pose. What’s your interpretation of this piece? Curator: The artist's choice to depict the soldiers as quite literally knocked off their feet challenges the traditional power structures. It critiques the societal norms and violence perpetuated by these figures. Where do you see the power dynamics at play here? Editor: The soldiers’ collapse definitely subverts expectations. It emphasizes the ultimate triumph over earthly authority. Curator: Exactly! It suggests that true power lies not in earthly dominion, but in spiritual transcendence, in defiance of oppression. Editor: I see how the artist uses a religious narrative to make a social statement. Curator: It's a powerful inversion. Considering the piece's historical context helps us understand its revolutionary potential.