Madonna c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco Bartolozzi's "Madonna," a print from the Harvard Art Museums. It has a very somber tone, and the composition feels very formal. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the delicate hatching and stippling technique. It creates a nuanced tonal range, focusing our attention on the interplay of light and shadow that sculpts the figure’s face and drapery. The oval frame and the brickwork pattern serve to isolate the Madonna, inviting closer scrutiny of her internal state. Editor: So it is about the technique? Curator: Yes, and also, the composition and materiality encourage us to contemplate the abstract qualities of the artwork rather than just its religious subject matter. How does the printmaking medium itself contribute to the work's overall effect? Editor: I see that the print's precise lines add a layer of refinement to the artwork. Thanks for pointing that out!