La Madonna di San Francesco c. 19th century

Curator: This is "La Madonna di San Francesco" by Peter Lutz, currently in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how the figures below are gazing upwards. There’s an undeniable sense of longing or supplication being communicated. Curator: Lutz’s work exemplifies the veneration of the Virgin Mary prevalent in religious art of the time, reinforced by the strategic placement of figures and symbols. Editor: Absolutely, but the inclusion of both male and female figures challenges traditional gender dynamics. Curator: The placement of these religious images reflects the social and cultural expectations of the era. Editor: Seeing them now makes me think about shifting power dynamics within religious institutions and how these images helped to shape them. Curator: It is indeed an image that reflects—and continues to shape—our understanding of religious imagery and power structures. Editor: A lasting reminder of the social and political power held by the church.