Illustration XV 15th-16th century

Curator: Here we have Illustration XV, an anonymous work held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Look at that stark contrast! What's your first take? Editor: Austere. It reminds me of tarot cards, but stripped down, almost medieval in its directness. The supplicant offering a book to the crowned figure. Curator: Precisely. The book is a key element. Note the 'X' symbol emblazoned upon it. We see that shape again and again across different cultures. Editor: It’s also a symbol of fate or choice, isn’t it? Like crossing paths, a decision point. Does the king accept the offering, and what path will that set in motion? Curator: Exactly. This is about legacies and decisions. It's a reflection of power, obligation, and possibly sacrifice. Editor: It's a bit unsettling how impassive everyone is. Almost as if they know something we don't. Curator: The artist is showing us a moment pregnant with meaning. The symbol makes it something timeless. Editor: Well, I think I'll stick to novels with less fraught symbolism and clearer moral compasses.