Pallas Athena, Study for Felton Memorial Window, Memorial Hall, Harvard Univ. 1898

Editor: This is John La Farge's "Pallas Athena, Study for Felton Memorial Window." It looks like a pencil drawing of Athena next to a pillar. I'm struck by how delicate the lines are, given it's a study for a memorial. What do you see in this piece? Curator: As a study, this piece highlights the labor involved in creating the final stained glass window. We see La Farge grappling with form and composition, using the pencil to meticulously explore the play of light and shadow. Consider the social context – a memorial for Harvard, what materials would resonate with the commissioners and the public? Editor: So, the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Precisely! The choice of stained glass, a traditionally religious medium, lends gravitas. It reflects the craftsmanship and expense, and the values that the memorial would convey. Editor: That's a really interesting way to think about it! Curator: Indeed, looking at the materials and process helps us decode the message.