Ecce Homo c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Elisabetta Sirani's "Ecce Homo," a small but powerful drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's rendered in warm brown hues, and, honestly, the scene feels heavy, burdened by unspoken grief. What strikes you when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, the immediacy of Sirani's hand, for one. It's almost as though she dashed this off in a fever dream, capturing a raw, unfiltered moment. This wasn't just religious storytelling; it's a glimpse into the artist's own contemplation of suffering, don't you think? Editor: I hadn't considered that, but it's true, there's a vulnerability here that's really compelling. Thanks for that insight! Curator: My pleasure! It just makes you wonder what she was wrestling with when she made this, doesn't it?