Adoration of the Kings c. 16th century

Editor: This is Pietro Santi Bartoli’s "Adoration of the Kings," housed here at Harvard. It's hard to pin down a date. It's an explosion of figures, all reaching for something just out of frame. What leaps out at you when you look at this print? Curator: It's like a visual echo of a collective yearning, isn’t it? The sheer density of bodies, all straining forward… reminds me of a fever dream I once had after eating too much cheese. But seriously, consider the artist's technique. Notice how Bartoli uses line and shadow to create depth. Editor: The light and dark areas are really dramatic. Curator: Exactly! It's like he's painting with shadows, guiding our eyes through this chaotic scene. What do you think he's trying to tell us about belief and devotion? Editor: I see this piece as an expression of fervent devotion. Thanks, I’ll remember that!