Madonna of the Green Cushion c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is "Madonna of the Green Cushion" by Johann Conrad Ulmer, currently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. It's a tender depiction, but something about the stark contrast gives it an almost unsettling feel. What catches your eye in this print? Curator: It’s the dance of light and shadow, isn’t it? The way Ulmer carves out form with pure tone—he's less interested in sentimentality, and more in the visual poetry of the moment. Doesn't it feel like a dream, a memory filtered through artistic interpretation? Editor: Yes, there's definitely something dreamlike about it. I didn't expect such starkness. Curator: Exactly! It reminds us that even the most sacred scenes are interpreted and filtered. Art is a reflection, not a mirror. Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks for pointing that out. Curator: My pleasure. Every piece has its secrets, waiting to be whispered.