Blinding of Samson; verso: Noah's Drunkenness c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an intriguing early print, "Blinding of Samson; verso: Noah's Drunkenness," by an anonymous artist, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me immediately as raw and immediate. The simple lines and stark contrast create a dramatic, almost unsettling mood. Curator: Indeed. This work likely served a didactic purpose, visualizing biblical narratives for a wider audience. Notice how the figures' gestures emphasize the cruelty of Samson's tormentors. Editor: And look closely at the paper itself; you can see the texture. The physical act of printing these images would have made the stories more accessible, transforming them into portable, reproducible objects of cultural transmission. Curator: Absolutely. The symbolism here is powerful. Samson, blinded, represents a loss of power and spiritual insight. It's a timeless depiction of human vulnerability. Editor: Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is as much about the message as it is about the material and the process.