Border of Four Blocks: Christ Blessing; Two Winged Figures Holding a Shield; Virgin, Four Prophets; Angel of the Annunciation, Four Latin Fathers 1599

Curator: This is "Border of Four Blocks" at the Harvard Art Museums, a work by an anonymous artist. It features an intriguing frame with religious figures. Editor: It feels almost like a medieval illuminated manuscript page, though simpler. The stark contrasts create a somber yet decorative mood. Curator: The piece likely served as a decorative element, perhaps for a book. The use of woodcut and hand-coloring would have made it relatively accessible. The question is, to whom? Editor: The figures suggest an elite, ecclesiastical audience. The inclusion of prophets and fathers of the church hints at a desire to legitimize power through religious iconography. Curator: Indeed, the materiality points to both skillful production and a potential market eager to display such symbolism. Editor: The act of printing and distribution itself, regardless of the image, could be seen as a form of empowerment. Curator: Precisely. It opens up discussions around labor, the printing press, and its societal impact at the time. Editor: It's a compelling reminder of how art, even in its decorative forms, reflected and reinforced socio-religious hierarchies.