Little Red Riding Hood 18th-19th century

Curator: John Henry Robinson, who lived from 1796 to 1871, is credited with this image, titled, "Little Red Riding Hood," now housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's such vulnerability in her posture, almost shrinking into the shadows, despite the story's familiarity. Curator: The lantern she carries, a symbol of guidance and hope, contrasts sharply with the darkness enveloping her. It speaks to the duality of innocence and peril present in the tale. Editor: Absolutely. And it prompts the question: Who is this little girl protecting? Is she a victim, or does she possess an inner strength we underestimate? Curator: Consider how artists have used her image over time—the red hood itself has become a potent signifier of both childhood innocence and the dangers that threaten it. Editor: True, but how often is the "wolf" a metaphor for the patriarchal structures that prey on young women, their desires, and their autonomy? This piece seems to foreshadow that struggle. Curator: A chilling yet insightful read, placing an age-old symbol into modern light. Editor: Exactly, art acts as a portal through which we can reinterpret the past and challenge present inequalities.