Coat of Arms and Skull c. 19th century

Editor: This is Metzmacher's "Coat of Arms and Skull," housed here at Harvard. It's a strikingly detailed drawing, but its symbolism feels…well, a bit grim. What's your take on it? Curator: Grim, yes, but also deeply human! Think of it as a visual poem, a memento mori. The skull, of course, speaks to mortality, but the coat of arms, the angel, the lady… they whisper of life's fleeting glories. It's a dance between what we are and what we will become, don’t you think? Editor: So, it's not just about death, but about accepting it? Curator: Precisely! It's a visual reminder to seize the day. Or, to put it dramatically: live each day as if it's your last masterpiece! Editor: I see it now. It’s surprisingly uplifting, in a morbid sort of way. Curator: Exactly! Art's funny like that, isn't it?