Mary Merwin, Arlington, Vermont, 1777 1963

Curator: This intriguing piece is titled "Mary Merwin, Arlington, Vermont, 1777" by Ann Parker, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, wow. It looks like it's been unearthed from a tomb. The face is so stoic, almost alien, amidst all those blossoming, hopeful floral motifs! Curator: Precisely! The face, framed by what appears to be a halo and flanked by wings, definitely carries symbolic weight. Think about the folk art tradition—the face could represent a guardian spirit, or even an idealized portrait. Editor: A guardian spirit with serious boundaries! But I get it. The flowers soften the intensity. It’s a fascinating tension between the earthly and something… other. Like a memory trying to resurface. Curator: Absolutely. Given its creation date during the American Revolution, the imagery might speak to themes of protection, hope, and the enduring spirit of a community. Editor: It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? A simple little carving that carries centuries of stories.