Corinthian Well Curb, Venice 1887

Editor: This is Joseph Smith's "Corinthian Well Curb, Venice," at the Harvard Art Museums. The monochromatic rendering gives it a somewhat austere feel. What do you make of the well's presence in Venetian life and art? Curator: Considering Venice's unique history, the well becomes more than just a water source. It's a communal space, a site of gathering and exchange. Smith's detailed rendering invites us to consider who had access to this vital resource. Whose stories are etched into the stone, and whose are missing? Editor: So, it's not just about aesthetics but also about power dynamics and social structures? Curator: Precisely. Art is never created in a vacuum. Examining the well curb through a critical lens allows us to ask deeper questions about Venetian society. What does it mean to own or control access to such a fundamental element? Editor: I see it now. Thank you; I never considered that before. Curator: It is through such intersectional dialogues that art history truly comes alive, revealing its power to challenge and inform.