Christ Casting out Demons c. 15th century

Editor: So, this is "Christ Casting out Demons," by an anonymous artist. It's a stark image; the figures are outlined with a very dark line, and the demon looks sort of like a jackal. What do you see in it? Curator: I see a potent blend of faith and fear, rendered with a rather direct hand. The artist prioritized the story, the miracle, over finesse. You can almost smell the desperation and the crowd's hushed awe. Editor: I suppose it’s not aiming for beauty so much as impact. Curator: Exactly! And that demon, comical as it may seem to us now, likely represented a very real and terrifying force to its original audience. Do you think that says something about us? Editor: That context is everything? Absolutely. I'm glad I asked! Curator: Me too! Always a pleasure to peel back the layers.