Menippus 18th-19th century

Curator: This is Francisco Goya's "Menippus," currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums. Look at the etched lines—they speak of meticulous craft and the material process. Editor: He certainly looks pleased with himself. Is he meant to be a sage? I see that knowing smile and the scholar's robes. Curator: The print is based on Velazquez's painting, transforming the older work into a reproduction, available for wider consumption. It really highlights the shift in art production! Editor: Notice the urn by his side, a classic symbol of mourning, yet he’s anything but mournful. It creates a striking contrast—almost sardonic. Curator: Exactly. The social context is key. Goya engages with the legacy of Velazquez, commenting on the artistic marketplace of his era. Editor: Yes, Goya is definitely challenging our assumptions about wisdom and grief through his wry portrayal. It is a rather subversive choice of symbols. Curator: Considering the material, the etching process allows for reproducible commentaries on earlier traditions. Editor: Truly intriguing how symbols can be re-contextualized across time. Curator: Indeed. Editor: A fascinating glimpse at how images echo through centuries.