Saint Mary of Egypt c. 15th century

Curator: Look at this woodcut, “Saint Mary of Egypt,” by an anonymous artist, housed here at Harvard. It’s such a stark image, isn't it? Editor: Yes, the high contrast between the black lines and the pale background makes it feel almost… oppressive. The figure looks trapped within the heavy lines. Curator: The composition is quite striking. Mary kneels, clutching her rosary, framed by what seems to be a building and a very harsh landscape. Editor: Indeed, this aesthetic choice really speaks to how women, and especially penitent figures, were often framed by societal expectations and religious doctrines that emphasized suffering and seclusion. Curator: I wonder what story the artist wanted to tell? It feels intimate, melancholic, but also strangely powerful. Editor: It’s a story of repentance, but also resistance. The woodcut’s simplicity invites us to question the stories we tell ourselves about saints and sinners.