Study of Left and Right Feet of Saint Christina for "Saint Christina" 1904

Curator: Here we have Evelyn De Morgan’s "Study of Left and Right Feet of Saint Christina for ‘Saint Christina’," residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the grounded stillness of these feet; they appear both delicate and resilient. Curator: Feet, of course, are a potent symbol. They represent our connection to the earth, our journey, and the very ground we stand on, especially significant for a Saint. Editor: The precise cross-hatching suggests a classical academic study. I find the gray wash isolating and amplifying the anatomical form, turning flesh into pure line and shape. Curator: Precisely. Feet in hagiography, especially those of female saints, carry echoes of pilgrimage, piety, and even suffering. This study prepares us to consider Christina's journey, both physical and spiritual. Editor: The artist's focus, solely on the feet, abstracts them from any narrative context, inviting us to contemplate the formal interplay of lines and shadows, almost like a geometric exercise. Curator: A compelling study of both the human form and its symbolic potential within a religious narrative. Editor: Yes, a remarkable fragment, elevated by De Morgan's meticulous hand.