Christ Cleanses 10 Lepers c. 16th century

Curator: Looking at this woodcut, "Christ Cleanses 10 Lepers," made by an anonymous artist, I feel a certain quiet drama. Editor: Yes, the stark black and white contrasts create a world of immediate suffering and divine intervention. Leprosy, of course, carried immense social stigma. Curator: It's interesting how the artist uses these dense lines to depict both the disease and the hope for healing. See how Christ is set apart by this haloed moon. Editor: A symbol echoing ideas about purity and untouchability, which the lepers are denied. The figures' proximity makes their need both intimate and universal. Curator: And I find myself wondering, what became of the one who, healed, returned to give thanks? It feels like a question for us all, really. Editor: Indeed. What histories are being erased by focusing solely on redemption?