Vineyard of the Belvedere of Olevano 1810

Editor: This is Joseph Anton Koch’s "Vineyard of the Belvedere of Olevano," a rather small print held at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures cavorting in the landscape have a very classical feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The landscape itself seems less important than the figures populating it. The vineyard and the ancient ruins are, of course, associated with Bacchus, the god of wine, which represents ecstasy, freedom, and perhaps, a release from societal norms. Editor: So, the scene isn't just a pleasant gathering, but something more symbolic? Curator: Precisely. Observe the figures, their postures, their interactions. What memories, what cultural continuities do you think Koch evokes through these visual symbols? Editor: It makes me consider how deeply ingrained these symbols of celebration and release are in our culture. Curator: Yes, indeed. It’s fascinating to see how the past continues to dance in the present.