The Separation of the Sheep from the Goats 1581 - 1582

Curator: This is "The Separation of the Sheep from the Goats" by Adriaen Collaert, who lived from 1560 to 1618. It’s currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a pretty dramatic scene, with those contrasting skies, isn’t it? A real visual depiction of judgment, and not very subtle! Curator: Absolutely. Consider the historical context: the Counter-Reformation heavily influenced art. This piece, likely intended for a religious text, is deeply didactic. Editor: How interesting. To me, it raises questions about power, who decides who is a sheep or a goat, and how that impacts identity and belonging. Curator: Precisely. It's a potent reminder of how artistic representation can reinforce societal norms and moral judgments. Editor: Seeing it through that lens makes me wonder who the "sheep" and "goats" would be today, and how those labels are still used. Curator: A chilling, yet vital, question to keep in mind. Editor: A lasting image, then, beyond its historical roots.