Braying Donkey c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "Braying Donkey," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's got such a frantic energy! The donkey seems to be caught in a moment of protest. What's your take on it? Curator: Well, the donkey is often seen as a symbol of the working class or the oppressed. Considering Tempesta's era, and the social hierarchies of the time, could this "braying" be a metaphor for dissent or resistance against authority? Does the rawness of the etching medium amplify this interpretation for you? Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn’t considered the donkey as a symbol of resistance. It gives the piece so much more depth. Curator: Exactly! It highlights how art can reflect and comment on the social and political realities of its time. Always question what's beneath the surface.