The Tarantella c. 19th century

Editor: Here we see George Baxter's "The Tarantella," a print from the 19th century, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a lively scene of dancers in a landscape. What strikes me is the implied narrative within this snapshot. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, considering the period, we see the popularization of folk traditions as quaint entertainment for a rising middle class. The "Tarantella", often associated with curing spider bites, becomes a spectacle, divorced from its original context. Notice how the artist frames the scene almost like a theatrical production. Editor: That's interesting! So, it’s less about the authentic dance itself and more about how it was perceived and consumed by a particular audience? Curator: Precisely! It raises questions about cultural appropriation and the packaging of "exotic" customs for public consumption. Editor: That perspective really shifts my understanding of the image. I’ll definitely look at this print differently now. Curator: And that's the power of understanding art in its historical and social context!