Resurrection c. 18th century

Curator: Francesco Bartolozzi created this sanguine drawing, "Resurrection," and it is now part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The figure is compelling. There's such a sense of upward movement. The sepia tones give it an ethereal, almost haunting quality. Curator: The drawing engages with the socio-political issues of its time, specifically the changing religious landscape and evolving attitudes toward the body. The figure's vulnerability is palpable. Editor: Yes, and those outstretched arms – they're a universal symbol of surrender, but also of receiving. The drapery feels like a visual representation of rebirth. Curator: Right, think about how the image would have resonated in a society grappling with Enlightenment ideals questioning traditional doctrines. It's a powerful commentary. Editor: Thinking about cultural memory, it calls to mind various resurrection narratives, all echoing this human striving towards something beyond. It’s fascinating. Curator: Absolutely. The piece prompts us to consider the shifting intersections of faith, power, and individual agency in the 18th century. Editor: I find myself reflecting on how symbols evolve, and how this image uses them to touch something primal within us.