Matilda of Conossa c. 15th century

Curator: Here we have a page featuring Matilda of Canossa, an anonymous piece residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite text-heavy, but centrally there's a captivating woodcut of Matilda herself. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: The figure seems strangely composed within this chaos of old type. It has a sense of authority, but the lines are so rough, so stark... almost confrontational. Is that intentional? Curator: Indeed. Consider the historical context. Matilda was a powerful figure—a staunch supporter of the papacy during the Investiture Controversy. That spear she holds isn’t just decorative; it’s a symbol of her strength and allegiance. Editor: So, the woodcut’s somewhat crude style amplifies her strength, downplaying subtlety for the sake of directness. It's more propaganda than portraiture. Curator: Precisely. It's a visual declaration within this printed page, meant to solidify her legacy and influence. I find it quite effective, in its own way. Editor: I agree. The medium certainly reinforces the message, making this more than just an illustration, but rather an artifact of its time.