The Crucifixion; verso: Die Juden-Sau ('The Jewish Sow') c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut print, "The Crucifixion; verso: Die Juden-Sau," with no date. It’s striking how stark the lines are, a real contrast of black and white. What story do you think it's telling? Curator: It's a narrative deeply entangled with antisemitism. The “Judensau,” or “Jewish Sow," image, often appearing on the reverse, was vicious propaganda. How does this context impact your interpretation of the Crucifixion scene itself? Editor: It's horrifying to think of the image on the back influencing how people saw the front. It taints the religious scene. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing the historical context allows us to critically examine the role of art in perpetuating harmful ideologies and inciting hatred. Editor: So, seeing the art isn't enough, we must understand it within its cultural moment. Curator: Exactly. This piece forces us to confront the dark side of art history and its impact on social injustice.