Tribute Money c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have "Tribute Money," an anonymous piece from the Harvard Art Museums. It appears to be a woodcut, with stark lines defining the figures. I'm struck by the contrast between the supplicant and the figures offering the coins. What can you tell me about its creation? Curator: Look closely at the lines, the apparent simplicity. Woodcut production involved significant labor. The carving, the inking, and the printing – each step reflects a material process tied to social conditions of production and consumption. Think about who would have created and consumed this image. Editor: So, not just the image itself, but how it was made and who it was for? Curator: Precisely! How does understanding the labor and potential market change your view of this image? Editor: It makes me think about the economics of faith, and the system that created a demand for such devotional imagery. Curator: Exactly. It transforms the image from a simple depiction to a complex product of its time.