The Institution of the Eucharist c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Institution of the Eucharist," an intimate etching depicting the Last Supper. Editor: It feels almost unfinished, raw. There's a vulnerability in the figures, a stark contrast to the usual grandeur of religious art. Curator: Absolutely. Fragonard, working in the 18th century, often challenged societal norms. Here, the eucharist isn't just a sacrament, it's a shared human experience. Notice how the subjects are rendered, the positioning of their bodies. It is very intentional. Editor: The light and shadow play creates a dramatic tension. But I'm struck by the bowed heads, a universal symbol of submission or perhaps deep reflection, regardless of faith. It could be seen as a rejection of the established power structures. Curator: Precisely. Fragonard encourages us to question established narratives, to find our own meaning within these powerful symbols. Editor: It's a quiet rebellion, a subtle but potent statement on faith, power, and the individual's place within it all.