King Lear: Act III, Scene 4 1792

Editor: This is William Sharp's "King Lear: Act III, Scene 4," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a dramatic scene, full of raw emotion. What historical and social context do you see informing this work? Curator: This piece allows us to consider power dynamics within 18th-century interpretations of Shakespeare. How are the figures of madness and royalty portrayed, and what does this tell us about the period's understanding of social order and individual agency? Editor: That's fascinating! It really makes you think about how societal structures can be both reinforced and challenged through art. Curator: Exactly. By looking at depictions of vulnerability and authority, we can unpack the complex interplay of identity, class, and mental health within the historical context.