Christ Before Caiaphas 1470

Curator: This is an intriguing image of Christ before Caiaphas, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's unattributed, making it a fascinating piece of anonymous production. Editor: It strikes me as a stage play, almost. The figures seem posed, with an intentional flatness and boldness to the color, like stained glass in miniature. Curator: Absolutely. The woodcut print process lends itself to that graphic quality. Consider the socio-economic context: prints like these made religious narratives accessible, less reliant on the Church's interpretation. Editor: And Caiaphas! His accusatory finger and elevated position make him the very picture of authority, the kind that makes you want to question everything. Curator: A challenge to authority reflected in the labor and distribution of the medium itself. Editor: A visual and visceral reminder of how power manipulates the story. Makes you wonder about the stories we're telling now. Curator: Indeed, and how future generations will analyze their material construction. Editor: Food for thought, even now!