Surprise c. 16th century

Curator: This is Ugo da Carpi's "Surprise," a chiaroscuro woodcut print held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: He looks like he's dancing! Or maybe about to dramatically reveal something. The monochrome gives it a feeling of ancient theatre. Curator: Da Carpi, active in the early 16th century, innovated this technique. It uses multiple woodblocks to create tonal contrasts. This particular print could allude to theatrical characters prevalent in that era. Editor: I love how the swirling lines behind him suggest both movement and a kind of ungrounded-ness. It's like he's suspended between worlds. Curator: And consider how the figure's attire and pose might reflect societal norms and the performance of masculinity during the Renaissance. Editor: It makes me wonder what kind of stories these prints told. Were they like Renaissance memes, circulating ideas and characters? Curator: Exactly! It emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and cultural context to decode the work's layered meanings. Editor: It's amazing how a simple print can open up so many questions. Curator: Indeed. "Surprise" reminds us that art is always in dialogue with its time, inviting us to listen in.