Saint Anthony Healing a Young Man's Foot c. 18th century

Curator: This is Johann Gottfried Saiter's "Saint Anthony Healing a Young Man's Foot," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a strong sense of piety, doesn't it? The somber tones and the circle of onlookers create an atmosphere of intense devotion. Curator: Saiter likely intended that. Saint Anthony's cult status in the 17th and 18th centuries centered on his reputation as a healer. Images such as this reinforced the Church’s role in public well-being. Editor: But doesn't the passive role assigned to the young man trouble you? He's presented as completely dependent, devoid of agency. Who benefits from perpetuating that kind of narrative? Curator: That is a valid point. One could argue it serves to highlight the divine power at play, further reinforcing the Church's influence. Editor: Precisely. The composition, while seemingly about healing, really underscores existing power structures. It's a reminder that art isn't neutral; it carries cultural baggage. Curator: Yes, and unpacking that baggage is precisely why we keep looking. Editor: Absolutely. It's through these conversations that we can create a more equitable understanding of the art, and the world, around us.