Elusian Ceres, after the Antique c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Antoine Alexandre Morel's "Elusian Ceres, after the Antique." I'm really struck by how serene she looks. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This print, a copy of an antique sculpture of Ceres, invites us to consider how the past is constantly re-interpreted through the lens of the present. What does it mean to recreate a goddess of agriculture, fertility, and motherhood, especially in a Neoclassical style? Editor: I suppose it's about how we value those ideals differently across time. Curator: Exactly! Morel's Ceres becomes a statement on gender roles, power dynamics, and the appropriation of history itself. Who gets to define these ideals, and for what purpose? Editor: That’s a lot to think about. It's more than just a pretty picture! Curator: Indeed. Art is never neutral.