Fifth Plague of Egypt c. 19th century

Curator: Welcome. Here we have Joseph Mallord William Turner’s etching, "Fifth Plague of Egypt," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks bleak. The stark lines create this really dry, desolate feeling. It reminds me of old lithographic prints, like something mass produced. Curator: Turner was deeply engaged with biblical narratives, and this piece reflects his interest in depicting historical and religious events with dramatic flair. Editor: You can see the pyramids rendered far off into the background. But look how Turner treats the architecture, the details of those buildings… it’s as much about the light and shadow as it is about the structure. Curator: Absolutely. It's interesting how Turner uses this biblical event to explore themes of power and divine intervention in human affairs, framing it for a British audience familiar with empire. Editor: I see it as a commentary on the exploitation of labor involved in building such monuments. All those lines etched, all that toil to make the image! Curator: Well, whatever perspective we take, Turner provides so much to contemplate. Editor: Indeed! The means of production in Turner's image open up avenues into thinking about ancient labor practices.