Illustration XX c. 15th century

Editor: This is "Illustration XX," by an anonymous artist, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking black and white image, and the figures seem very rigid. What catches your eye about the composition? Curator: The stark lines and the clear delineation of space immediately draw attention to the interplay between power and submission. Note the king's verticality and the queen's posture on the ground. How does the artist use line to create a sense of depth, or perhaps deny it? Editor: I see how the lines emphasize the figures, but the background feels flat. What does that flatness suggest? Curator: Precisely. The two-dimensionality focuses us on the immediate drama. The artist prioritizes the narrative over spatial realism. The formal elements underscore the narrative. Editor: That really clarifies the impact of the artist's choices. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Observing the deliberate constraint of the visual elements enhances our experience.