Christ Healing the Lepers c. 1530 - 1540

Editor: This is "Christ Healing the Lepers" by Giuseppe Niccolò Vicentino, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures are really dynamic and expressive, but I'm curious about the deeper meaning. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful statement about marginalization and social justice. Leprosy, then and now, carries immense stigma, often leading to the ostracization of sufferers. Vicentino's image, therefore, challenges us to consider how we treat the vulnerable and the "other." Editor: So, beyond the religious narrative, you see a commentary on social exclusion? Curator: Precisely. The act of healing becomes a radical act of inclusion, questioning the societal norms that perpetuate suffering and inequality. What does it mean to offer not just physical healing, but also social acceptance? Editor: That reframes the work entirely for me. I'll never see it the same way again. Curator: Indeed, art can hold multiple truths depending on our perspectives.