The Denunciation of Adam and Eve c. 1873 - 1898

Editor: This is George Frederic Watts's "The Denunciation of Adam and Eve" held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's strikingly vertical, almost like a column, with figures layered on top of each other. What can you tell me about Watts's artistic process here? Curator: The layering is key. Watts likely built this up through multiple stages, considering not just the narrative but the physical act of applying paint. How does the materiality of the canvas and pigment contribute to the emotional impact of the scene? Editor: The hazy, almost dreamlike quality of the brushstrokes definitely adds to the sense of despair and shame. Curator: Precisely. Consider Watts's studio as a site of production. What social factors might have influenced his choice of materials and techniques, and how might this painting challenge our understanding of labor in art creation? Editor: So, it's not just the biblical story, but also about Watts's own engagement with the materials and the world around him while he was creating the artwork. Curator: Exactly. By understanding the means of production, we gain a deeper appreciation of the artwork's meaning and its place within a larger cultural context. I now have a richer appreciation for how the layers of paint mirror the complex emotions in the biblical narrative.