The Mass of Saint Gregory c. 1490 - 1500

Editor: This is Israhel van Meckenem the younger's "The Mass of Saint Gregory," from the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white contrasts really give it a dramatic feel. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the socio-political function of religious imagery in the late medieval period. How does this print, with its precise lines and detailed depiction of the Mass, reinforce the authority of the Church? Notice the positioning of Christ in relation to the altar. What statement is the artist making here about sacrifice and the role of the clergy? Editor: So it's about power as much as it is about faith? Curator: Precisely. The visual language serves specific institutional purposes. This wasn't just a devotional image; it was a statement. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It makes me want to learn more about the historical context. Curator: Indeed, the image becomes much richer when viewed through that lens.