Sts. Claudius and Castorius c. 15th century

Editor: This is an intriguing, anonymous piece titled Sts. Claudius and Castorius, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like an illustration, and the violence is striking. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: The linear quality dominates, doesn’t it? Note how line defines form, creating a flattened picture plane and graphic quality. Consider how the anonymous artist uses color sparingly, yet effectively, to highlight areas of interest. The red accents, for example, draw attention to the figures' wounds. Editor: I see that. The limited palette seems deliberate. What does that signify? Curator: It directs our focus to the symbolic rather than the naturalistic. Ask yourself how this reduction contributes to the emotional impact and the spiritual message the artist conveys. Editor: That's a great way to look at it. I'm starting to appreciate the formal choices. Curator: Indeed, understanding these choices allows us to interpret the artist's intent and the piece's overall significance.