Illustration XV c. 16th century

Editor: So, this is Illustration XV, a woodcut of unknown date by an anonymous artist, here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels like a scene from a play, maybe a bit sinister? What's your take on it? Curator: Oh, absolutely theatrical! It's got that wonderfully rough, almost frantic energy that early printmaking often has. I think the gestures are key here. The figure pointing--are they accusing, blessing, warning? What do you think? Editor: I hadn't considered blessing! It seems like bad news for the guy sitting down, whatever it is. Curator: It's that ambiguity that grabs me, that lingering question of intent, the push and pull of the narrative. It’s great to think that we are still asking those questions about the narrative today, isn’t it? Editor: Definitely gives me a lot to consider about storytelling in art.