Book XXXII.27. Ambassadors from King Attalus make an offering {Quarte Decadis Liber Secundus p. CXCV} 1493

Curator: This is an anonymous woodcut, titled "Book XXXII.27. Ambassadors from King Attalus make an offering." It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels immediate, stark. The thin, unwavering lines somehow manage to feel raw, almost emotionally fraught. Curator: The composition is fascinating. The stark black lines create figures that are both defined and flattened, pressed against the picture plane. Editor: Like a half-remembered dream. There's such intentionality behind the offering gesture—it speaks to the careful orchestration of power and diplomacy. Curator: Indeed, these early prints often served to illustrate historical texts, visualizing narratives for a broader audience. Editor: It’s amazing how such simple graphic gestures can convey so much tension. I find myself pondering the weight of those offerings, the unspoken negotiations. Curator: A potent reminder of the power of visual storytelling, even in its most rudimentary form. Editor: Yes, and a testament to the enduring human fascination with power, gift-giving, and the stories we tell ourselves.