Doorway, San Marco, Venice, Italy 1889

Curator: This is Joseph Smith's "Doorway, San Marco, Venice, Italy," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's like a shadowy stage set, isn't it? Ready for a drama about to unfold. Curator: Smith has rendered the doorway with such careful detail, note the intricate carvings on the capitals. The image of the Saint above the door. Editor: The doorway definitely feels like more than just an entrance. More like a portal, really. The way the dark interior beckons... it's almost unsettling. Curator: Doorways often function as thresholds in art, symbolizing transitions or invitations into different realms. This one seems to echo centuries of faith and history. Editor: Absolutely. It’s heavy with time, a tangible weight. Makes you wonder what stories that stone could tell, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed. It's a compelling image, capturing both architectural precision and an almost palpable sense of history. Editor: A perfect blend of what is seen and what one imagines. Thanks for pointing that out.