Tribute Money c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Johann Heinrich Knolle's "Tribute Money," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking composition. What sociopolitical themes do you see emerging from it? Curator: It's essential to consider how this image of Jesus relates to power structures. Who benefits from representations that emphasize obedience to authority, even when that authority seems unjust? Editor: So, it's less about the religious narrative and more about the politics of representation? Curator: Precisely. Consider how images like this were used to legitimize taxation and social hierarchies. Who is truly being served by this "tribute"? How do we view this through the lens of class and oppression? Editor: I never considered this as a tool for social control. It makes me see the image in a completely new way. Curator: Hopefully it inspires you to think critically about the power dynamics at play in all forms of art and visual culture.