Raffaele Sanzio, Aged Six 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Luigi Ceroni's "Raffaele Sanzio, Aged Six," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels like a quiet, almost reverent portrait. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: It whispers of potential, doesn't it? Look at the delicate lines, the soft shading. Ceroni captures not just a child, but the *idea* of artistic genius in its nascent form. I wonder, does it make you reflect on the weight of expectation placed upon young talent? Editor: Definitely. It's interesting to think about how perceptions of childhood have changed – or haven't – over time. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider. Curator: My pleasure. Art is a mirror, reflecting us as much as the subject it portrays. Perhaps it's time we each took a closer look at ourselves.