Illustration LIII c. 16th century

Editor: This is Illustration LIII, artist unknown, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It seems to depict a group of figures embarking on a journey. The lines are so defined, and the production looks relatively simple. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The starkness of the woodcut forces us to consider the labor involved. Each line is a deliberate cut, a physical act. How does the means of production, the repetitive carving, affect your understanding of the narrative being depicted? Editor: I hadn’t thought of it that way. The repetitive lines almost flatten the figures, minimizing their individual importance. Curator: Exactly. It challenges our notion of the artist as a singular genius. The print suggests a broader context of labor and distribution, prioritizing the narrative over individual expression. Editor: So, the process is as important as the story itself? Curator: Precisely. The materiality shapes the message, revealing a world where artistic production is a social and economic practice. It’s fascinating. Editor: That makes me see the illustration in a totally different light. Thanks!