Hannah Brings her Son Samuel to Eli (I Samuel 1:24) 1923

Curator: This is Lovis Corinth's rendering of "Hannah Brings her Son Samuel to Eli" from 1923, now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The medium appears to be charcoal or a similar dry drawing material. Editor: It's a very stark composition. The figures are almost swallowed by the darkness, lending a somber, serious tone. Curator: Corinth’s mark-making is particularly interesting here. Note how the dense, almost chaotic strokes define form, creating a visual tension. Editor: Considering the biblical narrative, this density can be interpreted as the weight of Hannah's sacrifice, surrendering her son to a life of religious service. What do you think? Curator: Perhaps. Or perhaps it's Corinth's late style reflecting his own personal turmoil, imposing that upon a religious scene. Editor: Either way, it's a poignant and complex piece, one that resonates with both personal and historical significance. Curator: Indeed, the ambiguity is what makes it so compelling.