Aladdin's Lamp c. 1888

Curator: What a delightful, almost dreamlike quality to this small watercolor! Editor: Indeed. This is Elihu Vedder’s Aladdin's Lamp, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost theatrical, doesn't it? One can easily imagine it adorning a Christmas card, especially with the decorative border that spells out 'Merry Christmas'. Curator: Absolutely. And the peacock feathers! They suggest a kind of decadent opulence, framing the figure in a way that both elevates and perhaps even imprisons her. Consider the labor involved in such intricate detail. Editor: The composition is undeniably striking. The central figure, bathed in a soft light, ascends the stairs carrying the lamp and treasure—a literal embodiment of wish fulfillment. The materiality of the watercolor lends a soft, almost ethereal quality. Curator: Perhaps Vedder is alluding to the commodification of Eastern exoticism, the transformation of ancient tales into marketable commodities for a Western audience. Editor: Maybe, but there's also a compelling elegance in the design itself, the way the artist uses the limited palette to evoke such a sense of mystery and wonder. The lamp, of course, becomes a radiant focal point. Curator: A beautiful example of how art can act as both a window and a mirror, reflecting not just the artist's vision but the society that consumes it. Editor: A fascinating piece that invites us to consider the power of beauty, even when viewed through different critical lenses.