Oh Julie, my Julie, the veil has been torn away, and seeing it, I seem to see you again! c. 18th century

Curator: This engraving, by Jean-Louis Delignon, is titled "Oh Julie, my Julie, the veil has been torn away, and seeing it, I seem to see you again!" Editor: The figure's dramatic gesture immediately suggests a moment of intense emotion, almost theatrical in its presentation. Curator: The title gives us insight into that emotionality. Veils, in art, often symbolize secrecy or illusion. The tearing away implies a sudden, revelatory unveiling of truth, doesn't it? Editor: Precisely. Considering the period, one might interpret the figure's grief and invocation of "Julie" through the lens of lost love and societal constraints on expressing that grief. Were same-sex relationships more veiled then? Curator: It's fascinating how personal grief intersects with these broader social anxieties. The image, while small, speaks volumes about the pain of loss, and the symbols that attempt to contain that pain. Editor: Yes, it leaves me pondering the many "Julies" throughout history whose stories remain obscured.