Christ Healing two Lepers c. 15th century

Editor: This woodcut, Christ Healing Two Lepers, is by an anonymous artist and currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. It's very simple, almost stark. I'm intrigued by how it conveys a powerful narrative with such limited detail. What stands out to you? Curator: The visual language of disease here is fascinating. Leprosy, in this context, isn't just a disease; it’s a symbol of societal exclusion and spiritual impurity. Notice how the lepers are positioned outside the city gate. What does that evoke for you? Editor: A sense of being cast out, both physically and metaphorically. They're on the margins, hoping for intervention. Curator: Precisely. And Christ's gesture? It's not just a healing touch. It’s a reclaiming, a reintegration into the community. The halo also signifies divinity. Editor: I see how the artist uses symbols to speak to deeper anxieties and hopes around health, faith, and community. Curator: Indeed, and these symbols continue to resonate across time, reminding us of our shared humanity and the power of compassion.