Antigone and Oedipus; verso: Figure Studies c. 1794 - 1795

Editor: This is Antoine-Jean Gros’s "Antigone and Oedipus," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark lines create such a heavy, melancholic mood. What can you tell me about the symbols Gros employs here? Curator: Notice the lyre and mask above them; they suggest the tragedy that permeates the story. The small statue evokes classical ideals, a stark contrast to the figures' despair. These layered symbols enrich the scene, asking us what it means to carry the weight of cultural memory. Editor: So it’s about more than just the immediate grief; it's about the echoing impact of history? Curator: Exactly! Consider how these symbols build upon each other, shaping our understanding of human suffering across time. What do you feel now? Editor: I see it now; it’s not just a depiction of sadness but a reflection on how stories resonate and haunt us. Curator: Precisely. Gros masterfully uses symbols to link personal tragedy to broader cultural narratives.