Meleager c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have two studies of Meleager, a hero from Greek mythology. The drawing, now held in the Harvard Art Museums, is by an anonymous hand. Editor: It's…fragile, isn't it? The delicate lines seem almost to float on the paper, like memories. Curator: The artist, working perhaps as a student, was likely copying a classical sculpture. We can see him experimenting with the figure's pose and composition. Editor: There’s something about the way the lines aren't fully committed that makes it feel very immediate, like catching a glimpse into the artist's process. Curator: And the presence of the dogs and the boar’s head gives it a narrative pull, hinting at Meleager's famous hunt. The image, in its simplicity, is a study in classical representation. Editor: Yes, seeing the myth distilled to these essential lines makes me think about how stories change, evolve, and yet still resonate across time.