Entombment c. 18th century

Curator: Right, let’s discuss Francesco Rosaspina's "Entombment" here at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm immediately struck by its raw emotionality. Editor: The hurried lines certainly convey a sense of urgency. Look at how the figures cluster. It emphasizes the communal labor of grief, a physical manifestation of sorrow enacted through the support and transport of a body. Curator: It’s like a whirlwind of grief caught in sepia tones. I wonder, how does Rosaspina, born in 1762, engage with established artistic tropes through his printmaking technique? Editor: Well, the medium itself democratizes the image, making the sacred subject accessible to a wider audience beyond the elite. It’s not just about religious piety; it’s a commodity circulating within a particular social context. Curator: It’s a powerful image, irrespective of belief. Editor: Exactly. The image shows us the material conditions of both life and death.