Illustration I c. 15th century

Curator: The artwork before us is "Illustration I", an anonymous piece held within the Harvard Art Museums. It's a stark, black-and-white image—feels almost theatrical in its intensity. Editor: Indeed, the crude lines convey a sense of drama. The high contrast amplifies the figures' gestures—the raised swords, the clasped hands. There's a palpable tension arising from the composition's rigid structure. Curator: Right. Two figures menace a central man with swords, his hands in prayer. The artist, whoever they were, really captured a raw, unsettling moment. It makes you wonder what narrative it's plucked from. Editor: The parallel lines etched into their robes suggest an attempt to describe form and texture, but ultimately contribute to the overall flatness. The image feels constrained, almost suffocated, by its very medium. Curator: I see it as more than just constraint; the starkness echoes the unforgiving nature of the scene. I can't help but appreciate its directness. Editor: Perhaps. I remain captivated by the stark geometry of the composition and its haunting simplicity. Curator: Yes, a powerful piece in its humble way.