Christ Spit at and Buffeted c. 15th century

Curator: This small, powerful woodcut, "Christ Spit at and Buffeted," is by an anonymous artist. The scene is so raw, isn't it? Editor: Yes, the stark lines and crude figures almost amplify the cruelty. It's like a brutal, unflinching snapshot of violence. Curator: Absolutely. It really gets under my skin, that helplessness in Christ's posture. The way those taunting figures clutch at him, it’s as if they are stripping him of his dignity. And the woodcut medium itself feels so appropriate for such a harsh subject. It's almost like the grain of the wood mirrors the grain of human suffering. Editor: I agree, there is something about the lack of ornamentation that makes it so potent. It strips away any romanticism or idealism, showing the very real, and very political, violence inflicted on marginalized bodies throughout history. Curator: It's a tough image to sit with. Editor: Indeed, but it's also a necessary reminder of the cost of injustice.