Saint Anthony c. 15th century

Curator: This woodcut, titled "Saint Anthony," comes from an anonymous artist, and is held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I notice the monk's gaze, directed heavenward... he seems lost in contemplation. It's like a silent plea etched in simple lines. Curator: The stark contrasts of black ink on paper and the linear style would've been easily reproduced, allowing for wider distribution and consumption of religious imagery. Editor: It also feels so raw, doesn't it? Stripped down, yet the message still resonates, centuries later. It's the kind of image that makes you want to find your own patch of woods and contemplate. Curator: Exactly, it shows us how artistic choices reflect economic and social needs of the time. Editor: Well, I see something timeless in Saint Anthony's searching eyes.