Christ Carrying the Cross c. 16th century

Curator: Gazing at this piece, I'm immediately struck by the weight of it all, both literal and metaphorical. Editor: Indeed. What we have here is an anonymous rendering of "Christ Carrying the Cross," held at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark, almost crude lines amplify its message. Curator: The faces are so expressive, raw even. I can almost feel the splintering wood digging into Christ's shoulders. It's all sacrifice and quiet fortitude, isn’t it? Editor: Absolutely, and it speaks to systems of power, and to the oppressed and the oppressor. The artist creates this complex narrative using stark visual language to convey suffering, dominance, and complicity. Curator: You can't help but be moved. Art like this pierces through centuries, doesn't it? Editor: It does. By examining the past, it allows us to better understand the ongoing struggle for liberation in our own time. It remains a potent call to action.