Summer c. 18th century

Curator: Jean Moyreau's "Summer," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, captures a scene of leisure and affluence. What’s your initial impression? Editor: It feels like a stage set, with the figures almost posing amidst the elaborate fountains and carefully arranged foliage. There's a clear separation of classes. Curator: Indeed. The image evokes a sense of social stratification, with the elite group enjoying the cultivated landscape while others seem to be serving them. This idealized vision masks social inequalities. The swans are symbols of romance, with the water representing fluidity. Editor: And the architectural structure in the background—it suggests order and control over nature, echoing the power dynamics at play. Curator: Precisely, the architecture is carefully constructed and symmetrical, mirroring the rigid social structure that characterized the period. It speaks volumes about the imposition of power and control over the environment and the lives within it. Editor: It's a powerful depiction, revealing summer not just as a season but as a social construct. Curator: Yes, the artwork is a glimpse into a meticulously crafted world, designed for a privileged few.