Christ in the Tomb 1855 - 1856

Curator: Here we have Jules Joseph Augustin Laurens’ “Christ in the Tomb” from the Harvard Art Museums’ collection. It's a moving depiction. Editor: It’s strikingly somber. The high contrast and shading around Christ's body really emphasizes the weight and texture. Curator: This piece likely reflects the 19th-century artistic and religious sentiments, where images of Christ's suffering were imbued with societal concerns about mortality. Editor: I’m drawn to the materiality of the print itself, the way the ink interacts with the paper. You can almost feel the labor embedded within its creation. Curator: It's true, the printmaking process allowed for wider distribution, democratizing access to religious imagery during a time of social change. Editor: Considering the context, the medium itself, and the way that the artist renders the folds of Christ's burial shroud are telling. Curator: Exactly, and it speaks to the enduring influence of religious art on public consciousness. Editor: Well, viewing it with a focus on materiality and production certainly makes me think. Curator: And for me, it highlights the complex relationship between art, belief, and the public sphere.