Fall of Icarus c. 16th century

Curator: This engraving is titled "Fall of Icarus," created by Johann Sadeler I, who lived from 1550 to 1601. It's part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is that it's a quiet, almost indifferent scene; the everyday activities on the ground seem to overshadow the tragedy in the sky. Curator: Exactly. The engraving captures the moment of Icarus's fall as a small detail within a larger, bustling landscape. This was a common artistic choice of the time. Editor: It raises questions about who gets remembered in history and the cost of ambition, doesn’t it? The background characters are more present than the fall itself. Curator: Indeed. The political implications become clearer when you consider the social function of engravings at the time, which was mostly to enforce religious ideas. Editor: Seeing it this way, it makes one consider what other stories remain unseen within the dominant narratives we accept. Curator: Reflecting on the societal structures embedded within art can open our eyes to the biases that still shape our understanding. Editor: And hopefully, inspire us to amplify the voices and experiences often relegated to the margins.