Flayed Man c. 18th century

Editor: This is an anonymous work entitled "Flayed Man," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking image, stark and almost grotesque in its detail. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: The image's power lies in its process. Consider the labor involved in creating this intricate woodcut. The act of flaying, representing justice or revenge, becomes a product of meticulous, painstaking work. Editor: So, you're focusing on the labor involved rather than the symbolism of the flayed man? Curator: Exactly. It connects the abstract concepts of justice to the very real, material act of production. How does the process of its making influence your understanding of its message? Editor: I see what you mean. It is a thought-provoking perspective on how the meaning is constructed. Curator: Indeed. It challenges the notion that art exists solely in the realm of ideas.