Assumption of the Virgin c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous engraving, "Assumption of the Virgin," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white imagery gives it a dramatic feel. What do you see as you consider its historical and cultural significance? Curator: This piece, though simple in its execution, is ripe with the socio-political tensions of its time. Religious imagery served as a powerful tool for both the Church and those who sought to question its authority. Consider the role of women, here represented by the Virgin Mary. Editor: How so? Curator: The Virgin Mary has been a symbol of not only purity but also of power, a female figure elevated within a patriarchal structure. How does the artist grapple with these concepts, given their anonymous position within that same system? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure.