Crucifixion c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have "Crucifixion," a tiny drawing only 8 by 6.3 centimeters, attributed to the School of Fra Angelico, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the limited palette. The pink paper gives the scene a strangely soft, almost dreamlike quality despite the starkness of the subject. Curator: Indeed, the pink preparation is a crucial element. These devotional images were often exercises in drawing, and the choice of color would have served a didactic purpose. The color evokes repentance and love. Editor: The figures certainly carry that emotional weight. You see the weeping women, Mary Magdalene clutching the cross... the soldier turning away. But it's all filtered through that striking pink—it’s both sorrowful and transcendent. Curator: And even in this miniature format, the artist conveys a sense of public spectacle, which is impressive when you consider the limited surface. The social aspect of salvation is very much present. Editor: It really underscores how symbols persist across time. The image of the Crucifixion still carries immense cultural power, regardless of scale or even color. Curator: Absolutely. And understanding its place within the historical context allows us to more fully appreciate its enduring impact. Editor: A beautiful, if sobering, reminder of art's power to evoke powerful emotional and spiritual responses.