Passover - Illustration precedes Job c. 15th century

Editor: This is "Passover - Illustration precedes Job," an anonymous work currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The strong black lines really stand out, and the textures feel very tactile. What do you see in the way this was made? Curator: I'm drawn to the printmaking process. Consider the labor involved in carving the woodblock, the material reality of ink and paper, and the socioeconomic context of early book production. Editor: So, you're thinking about this as more than just an image? Curator: Exactly. It's a product of specific materials and a specific mode of production, reflecting the artist's skill and the cultural value placed on religious imagery. Editor: That makes me think differently about its meaning. Curator: It shifts the focus from the biblical narrative to the conditions of its creation and consumption.