Stable with a Snowstorm c. 17th century

Editor: This is Pieter Clouet’s "Stable with a Snowstorm," an undated print from the Harvard Art Museums. It feels strangely intimate, even though it depicts a landscape. What do you see in the symbolism here? Curator: This stable, a haven from the snow, is rich with symbols of protection and community. The figures huddled together evoke a sense of shared humanity, a collective memory of seeking refuge. Editor: So, the stable itself becomes a symbol. Curator: Precisely! Consider the horse—a symbol of strength but also servitude, juxtaposed with the lounging figures. What do you make of this contrast? Editor: It highlights a complex relationship between labor and leisure, perhaps? I never considered the stable as a cultural touchstone. Curator: Exactly! Images are encoded with cultural memory, open to interpretation.