Canto XXIV. The Sixth Cornice / The Gluttonous; The Tree of Knowledge; Forese Donati; The Angel of Abstinence; Pope Martin IV c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an anonymous woodcut illustration of Canto XXIV from Dante's Purgatorio. It is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The stark contrast immediately conveys a sense of somber reflection and perhaps a critique of earthly pleasures. Curator: Indeed. The artist, using relatively simple lines, depicts the Sixth Cornice, where the gluttonous are purged through enforced fasting. See how the figures are emaciated and pale. Editor: The material reality of this print, the very wood and ink, serves as a sharp reminder of the laborious process of its creation and its potential for mass dissemination of Dante's moral lessons. Curator: The scene is framed with text, reinforcing the didactic purpose typical of artwork from this period. The formal composition guides the viewer's eye through the narrative stages. Editor: It's fascinating how this relatively humble medium could carry such weighty moral and theological themes, challenging any rigid separation between "high" art and the working person's accessibility. Curator: A thought-provoking interplay of form, content, and purpose indeed. Editor: This piece invites us to meditate on the materials that carry stories and the labor embedded in creating meaning.