Bacchante c. 19th century

Curator: Antoine Alexandre Morel's "Bacchante" at the Harvard Art Museums presents us with a fascinating figure from classical mythology. It's about 47 by 34 centimeters, a fairly intimate scale. Editor: It strikes me as incredibly calm, almost stoic. The Bacchante is usually depicted in ecstatic revelry, not serene composure. Curator: Precisely, and that tension is key. How does Morel challenge the traditionally masculine gaze that often sexualized these figures? Consider the artist's positioning of her body. Editor: And how the rendering, probably an etching, emphasizes line and form. The draped fabric looks weighty, less about sensuality and more about tangible materiality. Curator: Right, the materials signal something deeper. It is through exploring the figure of the Bacchante that we can uncover narratives of female power and resistance within a patriarchal society. Editor: Ultimately, Morel provides an early 19th-century lens through which to re-evaluate this iconic figure and reflect on our current perceptions. Curator: Exactly, she becomes a site of negotiation rather than simple objectification. Editor: I am struck by how the print highlights both the subject and the processes behind its creation.