Madonna Adoring the Child c. 17th century

Curator: This etching presents Jean Morin's "Madonna Adoring the Child," currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate impact is one of hushed reverence, achieved through the stark contrast of light and shadow. Curator: Indeed, the formal composition guides our eyes. The soft, diffused light illuminates the Virgin's face and the Christ Child, creating a focal point within the darker background. Notice the artist's masterful use of line to define form and texture. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider how these devotional images functioned. They were not merely artistic exercises but powerful tools for shaping religious sentiment and reinforcing the Church's teachings within the broader populace. Curator: A valuable point. Morin's technical skill serves a clear purpose, communicating the sacred nature of the scene through carefully considered visual cues. Editor: The scene evokes an intimate moment of adoration, but also signals the power structures that were being reinforced at that time. Curator: Such formal rigor and historical grounding are mutually informative, I find. Editor: Yes, together they offer a more complete understanding of Morin's work.