Winter's Tale c. 18th century

Curator: Samuel Middiman created this engraving, "Winter's Tale," sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, the drama! It's like a landscape of the soul in turmoil. The figure seems so small against the wild ocean and those looming cliffs. Curator: Middiman's printmaking work often engaged with literary themes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on Shakespeare during this period. This particular engraving highlights the scene from "The Winter's Tale," Act III, Scene III. Editor: You know, it really captures that moment of abandonment and raw emotion. I feel the cold, the desperation...the scale of nature's indifference. It's bleak, but beautiful in its own way. Curator: Absolutely. The mezzotint technique allows for those rich blacks and subtle gradations of tone, emphasizing the contrast between light and darkness. It’s about the making, the production of tone using tools to physically create the image. Editor: For me, this is where art transcends mere illustration. It's the feeling of loss and the terror of the unknown made visible. It resonates still. Curator: A stark reminder of human vulnerability against the backdrop of societal norms and the relentless forces of nature. Editor: Makes you think, doesn't it? About what we leave behind and what endures, visually and emotionally.