Mary Mediatrix; verso: King Solomon Enthroned with his Mother c. 15th century

Curator: This is a fascinating piece, a woodcut print titled "Mary Mediatrix; verso: King Solomon Enthroned with his Mother." It's anonymous, but we know it's housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression? It’s like a dream sequence, figures floating in a storybook world. The line work is so bold, almost crude. Curator: The artist's focus seems less on perfect representation and more on conveying symbolic meaning. Mary, as the intercessor, is flanked by supplicants, while above, God offers a gesture of blessing. Editor: Yes, there's an undeniable immediacy in the piece. You can sense the human desire for connection to the divine, rendered through simple shapes and stark contrasts. Curator: It’s that blend of the material and the spiritual that makes it so compelling. We see religious dogma interwoven with daily life, expressed through print. Editor: This artwork leaves me with a sense of humility, a reminder of our shared search for meaning throughout history.