The Virgin and Child with Saints Ann and John the Baptist c. 19th century

Editor: This is Ernst Morace's "The Virgin and Child with Saints Ann and John the Baptist," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a serene, almost stoic feel to it. What's your take on this piece? Curator: It whispers of familial bonds, doesn't it? There's a tender exchange, an almost playful tension, between the infants Jesus and John. Do you see how the landscape, despite being quite detailed, seems to fade into the background? Editor: Now that you mention it, the landscape does fade! It really draws your eye to the figures. Curator: Exactly! And notice the way Saint Ann is included - she is an important part of the Holy Family. It feels like Morace is inviting us into a quiet moment of contemplation. Editor: I never considered that. It feels so much more intimate now. Curator: Art has a funny way of doing that, doesn't it?