Adoration of the Magi c. 18th century

Curator: This is Francesco Bartolozzi's "Adoration of the Magi", currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The plate measures about 32 by 45 centimeters. Editor: The stark lines against the blank space create a very dramatic and almost ethereal feeling. It makes you wonder about the process of its creation. Curator: Indeed, Bartolozzi, born in 1728, was known for his stipple engraving, a technique that yields a delicate, almost chalk-like texture. Editor: And that texture is critical here. Look at the robes, the way the ink suggests depth through density of the stippling. It's a testament to the material's potential and the engraver's skill. Curator: Precisely. Note how Bartolozzi uses line and density to define form and space, constructing a narrative of reverence through purely visual means. The composition draws the eye to the Virgin and Child. Editor: Seeing the artist's hand so directly in the final print allows the viewer to connect with the production and meaning in a more palpable way. Curator: A fitting end to our discussion, highlighting the convergence of technique and narrative. Editor: Absolutely, a reminder that the means of making are integral to the art itself.