Presentation in the Temple c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have Lucio Bononi's "Presentation in the Temple" at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such detailed linework. How do you approach this work? Curator: I see this not just as a religious scene, but as a negotiation of power. Who is being presented, and to whom? Consider the female figures, their roles dictated by societal and religious norms, but also their quiet strength within those constraints. Editor: So, you're suggesting the artist is commenting on the social structure? Curator: Precisely. Bononi places this intimate moment within a very public, patriarchal space, inviting us to question the dynamics at play. The baby, the mother, the priest... who truly holds agency here? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. I hadn't considered the power dynamics so explicitly. Curator: It's about uncovering the layers of meaning embedded within seemingly straightforward narratives.