King of Twelfth-Night 1769

Curator: This is "King of Twelfth-Night" by J.F. Poletnich. There's no date available, but it resides in the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite a scene, isn't it? Editor: Utter chaos! My first thought is, what a bizarre banquet. It’s like Hieronymus Bosch threw a party. There are so many figures crammed in—it's almost claustrophobic. Curator: The King of Twelfth Night was a figure of revelry in various European traditions. He was a temporary monarch for the duration of a feast, often associated with Epiphany. His reign was one of misrule and merriment. Editor: I notice the owl perched up there—a symbol of wisdom, but also of the night. And the masks, the raised cups... It’s all about inversion, turning the world upside down for a brief, cathartic moment. A sanctioned, temporary madness. Curator: Indeed. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how societies have historically released societal tension through ritualized celebrations. Editor: Looking at it now, I find myself thinking about the enduring human need to break free, to play, even within the confines of established order. It is a celebration of controlled abandon, the "holy fool".