Follis of Crispus, Heraclea 317

Editor: This is a Follis of Crispus from Heraclea, an ancient coin housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The material texture makes it feel ancient and weathered. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Primarily, I observe the arrangement of forms. Consider the circular composition, bisected into two faces, each bearing distinct yet related imagery. The textural degradation, the patinated surface—these are not flaws, but integral components. Editor: How so? Curator: They reveal the passage of time, impacting the visual form itself. The erosion modulates the light and shadow, altering our perception of the original design. How does this alteration affect your understanding? Editor: I see how time is an active agent in shaping the aesthetic of this artifact. Curator: Precisely. It's a testament to how material and form intertwine to convey meaning.