Niobe, after antiquity before 1789

Curator: Here we have Nathaniel Marchant’s intaglio, "Niobe, after antiquity," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s incredibly subtle, almost ghost-like. The scale is so intimate; it feels like holding a secret. Curator: Precisely. The circular form lends itself to contemplation, drawing the eye into the recessed relief. The composition offers a study in neoclassical ideals rendered in miniature. Editor: You know, thinking of Niobe’s grief…that stark white cameo could represent a tear, or perhaps a silent scream. The frame almost feels like it's containing that pain. Curator: The artist's conscious manipulation of the material creates an interesting tension with the tragic subject, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely, and it invites a contemporary interpretation. It's a powerful piece despite its modest dimensions.