Mary Magdalene c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous piece, *Mary Magdalene,* currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast of the woodcut gives it an almost haunting feel. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Consider the labor involved. The artist, through the meticulous carving of wood, transforms a readily available material into a devotional object, intended for consumption within a specific social context. How does the medium influence our understanding of the subject? Editor: So the value lies not just in the image, but in the process of its creation and distribution? Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the wood and the act of carving are integral to understanding its meaning and its impact on the viewer then, and now.