Pius VII c. 19th century

Curator: We are looking at Samuel Cousins' "Pius VII," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? The lighting is so dramatic, almost theatrical. It casts him as both powerful and, somehow, vulnerable. Curator: Indeed. The use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the textures of his garments, drawing attention to the weight and materiality that signify authority. Editor: I'm struck by the slight smile. Is it peace? Weariness? Maybe a touch of both after dealing with Napoleon. It’s fascinating how Cousins captures that complexity. Curator: Precisely. The artist uses formal techniques to render not just a likeness, but a narrative of power, resilience, and perhaps, a quiet resignation to historical forces. Editor: Art lets us freeze a moment and unpack what’s really happening. Curator: Indeed. The piece offers a study in visual rhetoric. Editor: It leaves you pondering the weight of history.