Christ and the Woman Charged with Adultery c. 15th century

Editor: This is an anonymous woodcut, "Christ and the Woman Charged with Adultery," at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by the starkness of the lines. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Look closely at the materials. The woodcut medium itself, its accessibility, suggests a wider audience than, say, a painting for a wealthy patron. Consider the labor involved in carving the block. How does this process democratize the image and its message? Editor: So, the reproduction itself is part of the meaning? Curator: Exactly. Think about who had access to this image and what it meant to them. Was it used for religious instruction, personal devotion, or something else entirely? These are all questions to consider when viewing the work. Editor: That’s a different way to approach the work than I thought, thank you. Curator: My pleasure, analyzing the material conditions always enriches our understanding.