Narcissus c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jean Pelletier's "Narcissus." Pelletier, born in 1736, captures the tragic myth of Narcissus in this print, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s so melancholic, isn’t it? All those shades of gray make it feel like a faded memory, like love lost before it even began. Curator: Indeed. The subject of Narcissus has enjoyed enduring appeal, interpreted across centuries as a cautionary tale. Editor: Do you think he ever got bored, staring so intently? Did he ever think, oh, hang on, I'm parched! Or did he become the water itself? Curator: What I find compelling is how Pelletier’s "Narcissus" contributes to a larger history of representing ideal beauty and its perils. Editor: Well, maybe he's not just vain, maybe he's just finally seeing himself clearly. Food for thought. Curator: It is that. Each interpretation tells us something new about beauty, obsession, and the enduring power of myth.