La vierge au poisson (Madonna of the Fish) 1822

Curator: This is Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers's "La vierge au poisson," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m immediately struck by the composition's somber, almost austere quality despite the religious subject matter. Editor: It’s certainly imposing. I wonder about the choice to include the fish so prominently—is it about sacrifice, or something else entirely? Curator: I'd suggest that the fish connects to early Christian symbolism but looking at Desnoyers's artistic practice, his approach was rooted in the skilled labor of engraving. Consider the economic structures of the time and Desnoyers’s relationship to the market! Editor: I see your point; however, the positioning of the child holding the fish, with Mary’s gentle guidance, speaks volumes about nurturing and the role of women in religious instruction. It's impossible to separate that from the historical oppression of women. Curator: Interesting insight! This tension is, perhaps, what makes the work so fascinating. Editor: Indeed. It encourages us to question established narratives and consider the multifaceted nature of art. Curator: Very true, examining both the labor and the symbolism enhances our understanding of it. Editor: A powerful way to approach these narratives.