Cut XIX c. 16th century

Curator: Here we have "Cut XIX," an intriguing print from an anonymous artist, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a rather unsettling air, doesn't it? Those beastly figures flanking the central vase… very peculiar. Curator: Look at the sharp lines, the clear evidence of the printing process, likely woodcut given the stark contrast. The labor involved in carving such detail! Editor: And the vase itself, adorned with faces... Is it a symbol of abundance, or perhaps a funerary urn, guarding secrets? The beasts could represent guardians. Curator: Or perhaps mere decoration, a display of opulence and the value placed on printed ephemera within a specific societal framework. Editor: I suppose beauty and dread can coexist. It's a fascinating piece to ponder. Curator: Indeed, a small artifact, yet rich in material and cultural implications.