Death of Ananias c. 16th century

Curator: Ugo da Carpi's "Death of Ananias" presents a dramatic biblical scene in this early 16th-century print, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a chaotic scene, the figures rendered in hues of umber and ochre, seemingly caught in a moment of theatrical collapse. Curator: Indeed. The print illustrates a story from the Acts of the Apostles, challenging the role of honesty and communal sharing within the early Christian community. It is about power, gender, and race. Editor: Focusing on its production, the medium itself—a chiaroscuro woodcut—allowed da Carpi to achieve a range of tonal values, mimicking the effects of a drawing while leveraging the reproducibility of printmaking. Curator: It is interesting how the artist used the new forms of media to push new social and political ideologies, especially regarding community values and the role of women in these societies. Editor: Thinking about the labor involved, each layer would have required careful carving and registration, reflecting a considerable investment of time and skill. Curator: By the placement of the figures, we are forced to see a new social structure, with women in subordinate roles. Editor: Considering the final product, it underscores the intersection of craft and fine art during the Renaissance, and how artists manipulated available resources to reflect a societal shift. Curator: A somber reminder of the consequences of deception and how stories can change over time. Editor: And a compelling example of how material choices shaped the dissemination and interpretation of narratives.