Last Judgement c. 18th century

Curator: This is Tommaso Piroli's "Last Judgement," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a flurry of bodies, isn't it? A cascade of humanity sketched in delicate lines, like a dream of resurrection. Curator: Piroli, born in 1752, was deeply involved in disseminating classical and Renaissance art through engravings. This piece likely reflects his engagement with those monumental themes. Editor: You can almost feel the weight of tradition, the echo of Michelangelo in the figures' muscularity. But there's also a lightness, a fragility in the line work that's quite affecting. Curator: Indeed. The lack of a firm date suggests this may be a preparatory study, revealing Piroli's process. Consider how this relates to the public's access to such grand narratives. Editor: I find it poignant – this glimpse behind the scenes, a reminder that even the most epic visions begin as tentative sketches, whispered possibilities. It humanizes the whole idea of judgment, somehow. Curator: A fitting conclusion. Piroli offers us a window into both artistic creation and the enduring power of human narratives. Editor: Leaving us to ponder what judgment means on a personal, sketched level.