Daniel in the Lion's Den c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have an anonymous woodcut, Daniel in the Lion's Den, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost like a cartoon, but with a serious message, I suppose. What’s your take on this, especially given how striking the imagery is? Curator: Well, it’s a raw, powerful image, isn't it? The stark black lines, the almost comical lions—they aren't trying to be anatomically correct! It’s about faith, really. Daniel's calm amidst the chaos, protected by divine intervention. The artist prioritized communicating that message over realism, and I think it works. Editor: So it's less about depicting a literal event, and more about the symbolic meaning? Curator: Exactly! It's a visual sermon. We aren't meant to analyze the lion's teeth, but to contemplate Daniel's unwavering trust. I find it incredibly moving. Editor: I see that now. It's the peace in the face of fear that resonates. Thanks for pointing that out.