Christ Before Caiaphus c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have an anonymous woodcut, "Christ Before Caiaphus," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The high contrast of black ink on the stark page gives it a dramatic, almost harsh feel. It's such a direct visual statement. Curator: Indeed. Notice how the artist uses simple lines to define the figures and the architectural space, focusing attention on the emotional exchange. Editor: The halo, though—a somewhat awkward orange-red addition—immediately signals Christ's symbolic role. Without it, he's just another figure in the crowd. Curator: It certainly guides our interpretation. The image explores themes of justice, power, and sacrifice, all rendered in a style typical of early printed devotional images. Editor: Considering the piece as a whole, the crude, almost naive drawing style lends it an earnestness I find really compelling. Curator: I agree. A powerful synthesis of form and spiritual content.