The Piercing of Christ c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an early, anonymous print titled "The Piercing of Christ," held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s stark, immediate. The use of line makes the scene feel very raw and unfiltered. There’s a brutality present. Curator: Indeed. The image depicts the moment a Roman soldier pierces Christ’s side with a lance. It speaks volumes about the socio-political power dynamics at play. How do you see that playing out here? Editor: There's a deliberate juxtaposition of power – the lance, the horse, against the vulnerability of the figure on the cross. It feels like a commentary on the spectacle of violence against marginalized bodies. Curator: And how the image circulates. This print allowed for the widespread dissemination of this brutal image, shaping religious and political sentiments across communities. Editor: It also provokes questions about complicity. Who is witnessing, who is participating, and what does it mean to engage with this imagery across centuries? Curator: A powerful reminder of art's capacity to both reflect and shape the narratives of power, faith, and suffering. Editor: It leaves you pondering the ongoing echoes of such images in our contemporary landscape.