Heraldic Device with Shield and Eagle c. 1876 - 1878

Curator: This is "Heraldic Device with Shield and Eagle," an intriguing drawing by Charles Herbert, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? It's got that medieval, royal vibe, but with a slightly unsettling edge. Like a fairytale gone a little dark. Curator: Heraldry served a vital role in displaying social status, familial lineage, and political alliances. The eagle, of course, is a symbol of power, courage, and vision. Editor: I see the power alright, but the way the eagle is rendered—almost skeletal, those jagged lines—it’s like a symbol of power on the verge of collapse, or maybe endurance. Curator: The visual language of heraldry provided a way to read the social landscape of its time. The choice of colors, the design of the shield, all communicated specific meanings to a wide audience. Editor: It also makes me think about inherited burdens, like you are forced to wear these signifiers. Maybe the artist is subtly commenting on the weight of history. Curator: Herbert's work invites us to consider how symbols, and their inherent meanings, evolve and are reinterpreted across centuries. Editor: Right, and how even symbols of strength can carry a hint of vulnerability.