Illustration IV c. 16th century

Editor: This is Illustration IV, by an anonymous artist, and it's held at the Harvard Art Museums. The linework is so distinct. What strikes me is the contrast between the human-like details and the more symbolic elements. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the woodcut technique itself. How does the labor involved in carving the block influence the forms we see? The bold lines and simplification speak to the process of mass production and the social context of printmaking. What purpose might it have served? Editor: Maybe a broadside? Something accessible. I hadn't considered the social aspect of its creation. Curator: Exactly! Considering the materials and their accessibility is key. It really opens up a new perspective, doesn't it? Editor: It does! Thanks for making me think about the context in which it was made.