Homage to Victor Hugo 1889

Editor: So, this is "Homage to Victor Hugo" by Henri Fantin-Latour. It's a lithograph, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It has a somber mood, and the figures seem to be in mourning. What symbols stand out to you in this image? Curator: Notice how Fantin-Latour uses classical allegorical figures to represent grief and remembrance. Do you see the muse with the trumpet and the woman with the wreath? How do those images contribute to the cultural memory of Hugo's legacy? Editor: I see it now. The trumpet seems to signal fame, and the wreath, remembrance. Curator: Indeed. Consider how these symbols, rooted in Greco-Roman tradition, elevated Hugo's stature. They transformed a personal loss into a moment of cultural significance. What new meaning did you find? Editor: I had never thought about how artists use symbols to connect with cultural history. Curator: It's a powerful way to evoke emotions and solidify legacies.