Plate XIII c. 17th century

Curator: This is "Plate XIII" by Francesco Curti, a stunning engraving held at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are approximately 17 by 22.5 centimeters. Editor: It's immediately striking—so delicate. The figure seems caught in a moment of serene contemplation. Curator: Indeed. Notice how Curti uses the hatching and cross-hatching to define form, creating a sense of volume and depth with very economical means. The drapery is rendered beautifully. Editor: The angel holding what appears to be a wreath—a classic symbol of victory, perhaps, or of honor. What stories do you think those symbols were meant to evoke? Curator: It’s a fascinating tension between the visual syntax of form and the cultural weight of iconography. The upward gaze, the wings, the wreath—all contribute to a very particular visual language. Editor: I'm left wondering about the role of these images in conveying something larger than the individual. Curator: A compelling question, certainly, and one that keeps me coming back to this engraving time and again.