Bacchanal (after the Borghese Krater) c. 17th century

Curator: This is "Bacchanal (after the Borghese Krater)," attributed to Nicolas Poussin. It's a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. The sepia ink gives it an interesting tone. Editor: Yes, it feels…fragmentary. Like a ruin unearthed. Given the subject, it could also evoke a sense of being inebriated—unsteady and blurred. What more can you tell me? Curator: Well, the drawing shows a procession of figures associated with Bacchus, the god of wine. It's based on an ancient Roman krater, a large vase used for mixing wine and water. I find it fascinating how Poussin engages with classical sources. Editor: It's intriguing how Poussin isolates this scene, transforming it from a functional object into a study of social dynamics. Who has access to pleasure, to abandon? How is that depicted, by whom, and for whom? This piece opens up complex questions about power, gender, and representation. Curator: Absolutely. And thinking about the artistic process, we see Poussin grappling with form and composition through the materiality of ink on paper. Editor: It reminds us that even seemingly simple lines can carry such weight. Curator: Indeed, a testament to the enduring power of both the classical and the contemporary.