Arion c. 18th century

Curator: Oh, isn't this lovely? "Arion" by Philippe Trière. The piece, held here at Harvard Art Museums, shows Arion playing his lyre atop a dolphin. There's such a sense of tranquility to it. Editor: It's deceptively calm, considering Arion was tossed overboard by pirates! But I see what you mean. There's a certain serenity in how he's framed against that landscape. The dolphins look almost benevolent. Curator: Exactly! I imagine he’s pouring his heart out in song, a sort of communion with the sea. I wonder, did Trière mean to show the power of art to transform even a desperate situation? Editor: Perhaps. Or maybe it's about the power dynamics. The dolphins, traditionally symbols of freedom, become vehicles, almost complicit in Arion's survival, which feels a bit...complicated. Curator: Complicated, yes, but isn’t that life? Even art. It always reflects a bit of the murky waters we swim in. Editor: Indeed. And this small piece invites us to dive right in.