Saint Michael the Archangel Accompanied by Two Angels c. 19th century

Curator: This is Merry Joseph Blondel's "Saint Michael the Archangel Accompanied by Two Angels," a drawing currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's an explosion of wings and swirling drapery, all rendered in a delicate flurry of lines! The drama is palpable. Curator: Blondel, born in 1781, clearly understood the power of preliminary sketches to capture dynamic movement. This piece gives us insight into the world of 19th-century academic art. Editor: It feels like a fleeting dream. I wonder what it was like to imagine it come to life in full color, perhaps on a grand church ceiling? Curator: Yes, these studies were part of the grand narratives of the time. Blondel's contemporaries sought to revive classical ideals and imbue them with religious fervor. Editor: The heart aflame with radiating light above Michael's head—it's almost hidden amidst the clouds, like a whispered promise. A small detail, but intensely moving. Curator: Ultimately, it's a testament to the enduring power of line and form, even in this humble sketch, to inspire awe and wonder. Editor: A glimpse into the creative process—a conversation with the artist across centuries. I find that extraordinarily special.