William Sinclair, Spencer, Massachusetts, 1753 1963

Curator: Ann Parker created this image, "William Sinclair, Spencer, Massachusetts, 1753," a stark depiction meant for a gravestone. Editor: Visually, I’m struck by the stark simplicity. The linear bones within that dark, arching frame almost vibrate against the pale ground. Curator: Gravestones in colonial Massachusetts were powerful public symbols. The image choice reflects the social and religious concerns about mortality. Editor: The artist really captured the stark finality of death with a masterful use of line and form. The ribs are almost like a cage, and the skull's dark sockets create a deep sense of emptiness. Curator: The winged skull, sometimes replaced by a portrait, evolved into images showing the deceased's life and social role, changing the social function of the gravestone. Editor: It is a profound image, isn't it? A skeletal figure contained within an austere border. It speaks volumes about the human condition, in such economical terms.