Virgin and Child after 1450

Editor: This is an anonymous "Virgin and Child," of unknown date, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. The wooden panel has such a beautiful aged and burnished texture. What can you tell me about the cultural context surrounding depictions like this? Curator: The cultural context of such a piece is steeped in the patriarchal structures of the church. How might viewing this Virgin and Child through a feminist lens challenge traditional interpretations of motherhood and power? Does this depiction subvert or reinforce those notions? Editor: That's a really insightful way to look at it! Considering that it's anonymous, it's hard to know the artist's intent. I never would have thought to question the subversiveness or traditionalism, though. Curator: Precisely. And by thinking intersectionally, we can consider how such images functioned within systems of power and privilege during their time. I wonder how socioeconomic status would change the viewing experience? Editor: It gives me a lot to think about. Thanks for helping me see it in a new light. Curator: My pleasure! The point is to see it through multiple lenses.