Tombstone of Richard Holmes, 2nd, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1828 c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Ann Parker's "Tombstone of Richard Holmes, 2nd, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1828" from the Harvard Art Museums collection. It depicts an angel on what appears to be a stage, and I'm curious, what do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, looking at this, I see a powerful commentary on early American funerary art. The winged figure, framed by what resembles theatrical drapery, prompts questions about performance and mourning rituals of the time. How does this portrayal challenge or reinforce societal expectations around death and gendered roles in grief? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the theatrical aspect as a comment on societal performance. Curator: Exactly. The image urges us to examine the intersection of personal grief and public display, revealing the complexities of identity and community in 19th-century Massachusetts. This adds so much depth to a seemingly simple image.