Meridies c. 17th century

Curator: This intaglio print is titled "Meridies", made by Charles Le Brun. It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's small, but densely packed with figures and textures. There's a certain theatricality to the arrangement, a midday drama unfolding. Curator: Le Brun was known for his history painting, and this piece, though small, reflects that grand style. He was deeply involved in the Gobelins Manufactory... Editor: Ah, yes, tapestries! And how perfect the lines are for translating into woven threads. Look at how he uses hatching and cross-hatching to create depth. Curator: There's a strong sense of classical mythology, isn't there? The figures, the composition. It evokes a feeling of timelessness. Editor: It makes me think about the labor involved, both in its creation and in its potential reproduction on a larger scale. It's a miniature marvel of production. Curator: It's interesting how the play of light and shadow adds to the drama. It's more than just an image; it's an invitation to imagine a whole story. Editor: Absolutely! This piece makes you think about not only art and material but also the social relations that inform the world in which the materials are selected.