Noli me tangere c. 16th century

Curator: Albrecht Altdorfer's woodcut, "Noli me tangere," depicts the resurrected Christ encountering Mary Magdalene. Editor: It's striking how Altdorfer achieves such luminosity with stark black lines. The radiant halo and the delicate shading on Christ's form give it an ethereal quality. Curator: Indeed. Altdorfer was working within a highly charged religious and political landscape. This scene, where Christ tells Mary "Do not touch me," speaks to shifting ideas about the body, access to the divine, and perhaps even the emerging Protestant emphasis on a less mediated relationship with God. Mary's posture underscores the power dynamics at play. Editor: The composition certainly directs our gaze. The landscape elements, like those sharply rendered mountains, act as a backdrop that pushes the figures forward, intensifying their interaction. Curator: Precisely, and situating it in the context of the Reformation allows us to consider how it reflects a broader renegotiation of authority and belief. Editor: Ultimately, it's the interplay of light and shadow that lingers, creating a visually arresting and emotionally resonant experience.