Christ and the Apostles: "Here Are Two Swords"; A Pope Celebrating Mass c. 16th century

Curator: Pietro Santi Bartoli, born in the 17th century, crafted this intriguing piece entitled "Christ and the Apostles: 'Here Are Two Swords'; A Pope Celebrating Mass," currently housed at Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the division of the composition. Two scenes, yet they seem to yearn to speak to each other. There's a tension, almost a visual argument being made. Curator: Indeed. The left panel depicts Christ amongst his apostles, a moment of quiet intensity before the storm, while the right shows a Pope during mass, a symbol of established power and ritual. Editor: And the lines! The engraver's hand is so evident. It's not just about depicting the figures, it's about the texture, the hatching that creates light and shadow. It's almost… theatrical. Curator: Bartoli was a master of capturing the essence of a scene, imbuing it with emotional weight. The apostles' expressions, the Pope's solemnity, it all contributes to a profound sense of contemplation. Editor: I'm left pondering on the relationship between these two scenes—the radicality of Christ versus the established church. Bartoli offers no easy answers, just compelling imagery. Curator: It makes you consider, doesn't it, the different facets of faith, the personal versus the institutional. Editor: Precisely. What a remarkable interplay.