Copy after the Figurine c. 17th century

Curator: Salvator Rosa's "Copy after the Figurine" immediately strikes me with its dramatic composition and the sheer energy of the linework. Editor: Absolutely, that energy is palpable. The scene feels charged with implied narratives of power, class, and perhaps even violence, especially given the figure wielding the axe. What figurine might he be referencing? Curator: Rosa was fascinated by the commedia dell’arte, popular theater which often involved stock characters and improvisational performance. So, the use of figurines might have been for him a way to explore the ideas of representation and artifice. It allows him to challenge traditional notions of high art. Editor: Placing it within that performance context really shifts my understanding. The characters take on new meaning, becoming embodiments of societal roles and power dynamics rather than simply individuals. Where does this piece exist now? Curator: It currently resides at the Harvard Art Museums, allowing contemporary viewers to engage with Rosa's exploration of performance and representation. Editor: Rosa's etching becomes a conversation starter about art, labor, and the very narratives we choose to uphold, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed, it prompts a re-evaluation of what we consider 'art' and the systems within which it is created and consumed.