The Somersault 1766

Curator: This etching, titled "The Somersault," is by François Philippe Charpentier, and is part of the collection here at the Harvard Art Museums. It presents a scene of apparent chaos and, perhaps, humor. Editor: I find it immediately unsettling. The sepia tones and loose lines create a sense of disarray. The figures are caught in a moment of what seems like impending disaster. Curator: Note the precarious angles of the wooden planks and the characters' poses. In terms of symbolism, it captures the fleeting nature of stability, both physical and societal. Could this suggest a critique of social structures of the time? Editor: Perhaps. Or a romantic vision of a world in free-fall. This era saw new approaches to representing the human body and its relationship to space. Curator: Look how the artist uses light and shadow. This etching highlights how moments of disruption can be both frightening and exhilarating, turning the world upside down. Editor: It leaves me pondering the transient nature of existence. Art offers a chance to reflect on these moments of unexpected transformation, doesn't it?