Illustration LXXIII c. 16th century

Curator: This is Illustration LXXIII, an anonymous work held at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the dramatic energy conveyed through the stark black lines, isn't it striking? Editor: Indeed! The composition, with its gods and tumultuous seas, feels quite grand, but look at the linear quality—the apparent simplicity in carving must have been born of a complex process. Curator: The use of woodcut here is important. It suggests wider consumption of images, moving away from elite manuscript culture toward a more accessible visual language. Editor: You’re right. The textures created by the carving tool imbue the scene with a raw immediacy, almost violent in places, echoing the narrative's chaos. It is a striking visual choice. Curator: The labor involved speaks volumes about early printmaking. This allowed myths to circulate in new ways. Editor: Absolutely. Examining the piece in this context makes it easier to appreciate the ways that art making can bring stories of old to life. Curator: Precisely; it’s a potent blend of image and distribution! Editor: A fascinating blend, indeed, offering insights into both form and the hands that shaped it.