Christ healing an old woman c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums collection, titled "Christ healing an old woman." Editor: The stark contrasts of black and white give it a dramatic, almost urgent feel. It's quite striking. Curator: The dynamism is partially achieved through the artist’s use of hatching to model form, but also emphasizes the linear quality of the medium. The medium itself draws our attention to the making of this image. Editor: Absolutely. The nature of the woodcut, its creation through labor, reinforces its accessibility and purpose as a tool of communication. These prints were about making the sacred relatable to everyday people. Curator: Precisely, and by considering the composition, the artist directs our gaze to Christ, who gestures with divine purpose toward the supplicant. Editor: Seeing the rough materiality and understanding how these images were circulated really shifts how I understand its original context. Curator: A deeper consideration of the process allows a more comprehensive understanding.