Study, Reduced to about One Quarter, of Tintoret's Sketch of "The Entry into Jerusalem," in the Uffizi Gallery at Florence 1876

Editor: This is Charles Herbert's "Study, Reduced to about One Quarter, of Tintoret's Sketch of 'The Entry into Jerusalem.'" It's undated but held at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures have this poised, almost theatrical presence. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Herbert’s study is compelling. Consider the gaze of the figures, particularly the woman pointing. Who is she pointing at, and what does that gesture signify in the context of Tintoretto's original? How does Herbert, as a 19th-century artist, engage with and perhaps re-interpret the power dynamics inherent in the biblical scene? Editor: I hadn't thought about that. The original must have been more focused on Jesus. Curator: Precisely. Herbert's focus shifts our attention to the women, potentially highlighting their agency and perspective within a narrative often dominated by male figures. It invites us to consider the representation of women and their roles in religious narratives. Editor: That makes me see it in a completely new way. Thanks! Curator: Absolutely. It's through these dialogues that art history evolves, challenging and re-evaluating established narratives.