Triumph of Christ (A-H) c. 19th century

Curator: This is Robert Theer's "Triumph of Christ," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's striking, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely! There's a theatrical quality to it. The procession, all the figures in motion, it feels like a grand, symbolic dance. Curator: Precisely. The flags, the solemn expressions – it's a visual representation of Christ's victory. The banner-bearing figures, caught mid-stride, suggest inevitability, an unstoppable force. Editor: Those figures remind me of classical allegories. Each one is probably a different virtue or symbolic figure in the canon. It's interesting how Theer uses line work to create a feeling of both movement and a sense of timelessness. Curator: The lack of color actually amplifies the symbolic weight, don't you think? It invites us to project our own understanding of triumph onto the scene. Editor: Yes, it's a reminder that images, even in their simplest form, can carry immense cultural and emotional resonance. A symbol doesn't need color to make a statement. Curator: It truly captures the enduring power of belief, rendered with such delicate yet powerful strokes. Editor: It makes me wonder about the stories that people have projected onto this image over the years, and how it has been interpreted through the ages.