Evil c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have William Sharp’s "Evil," an engraving housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The expression is so raw, so visceral! What historical context shapes your understanding of this piece? Curator: Sharp lived during a time of great social and political upheaval. The late 18th century saw revolutions, the rise of Romanticism, and an increasing fascination with extreme emotions. How do you think this artistic and social climate informed Sharp's depiction of "Evil"? Editor: I guess it provided a space to explore powerful themes like rage and despair. Do you see any of that in the work itself? Curator: Absolutely. Notice the figure’s contorted face, wild hair, and the swirling drapery around him. It's like he's embodying the very chaos of the era. The print's dissemination would have made this accessible to a wide audience, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: That makes sense. I never really thought about how accessible prints were, and the effect that could have! Curator: Exactly, thinking about that really opens it up.