Satyr and Maenad Embracing c. 1763

Curator: This is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's drawing, "Satyr and Maenad Embracing," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as a study in contrasts – the delicate figures against the rough, sketchy background. Curator: Absolutely. Fragonard often explored themes of love and sensuality, but here, within the context of classical mythology, it becomes a dialogue about power and desire. The satyr, a symbol of untamed masculinity, embracing the maenad, often associated with ecstatic frenzy. It speaks to the dynamics of gender and control. Editor: Yes, and the Bacchic imagery—the figures and the lyre nearby—suggests something deeper than mere physical attraction; it speaks of ritual, of transformation. The satyr and maenad are potent symbols of the Dionysian revelry, hinting at themes of catharsis, freedom, and intoxication. Curator: A nuanced perspective, considering Fragonard's lifetime spanned periods of aristocracy and revolution. Perhaps the artwork suggests a need to break free from societal norms? Editor: Perhaps. It seems there is always a need to understand the complex layers of symbolism and how they resonate through time.