The Sea 1655 - 1703

Curator: This is Gérard Audran’s "The Sea", housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a striking engraving. Editor: It evokes a sense of austere power, doesn’t it? She almost seems burdened by the weight of that architectural element on her head. Curator: Absolutely. The figure's stoicism speaks to broader themes of female representation and societal expectations of strength. And what about the oar? Editor: That's what immediately draws me in. It transforms her into an allegorical figure. The oar and the headdress reference both power and navigation. It could also suggest a complex relationship between women and the sea, a source of both sustenance and peril. Curator: Precisely, and that positioning within these visual and symbolic frameworks allows us to reassess the traditional narratives of maritime authority. Editor: It's fascinating how Audran uses seemingly simple symbols to convey profound concepts. It gives us so much to think about. Curator: Agreed, it highlights how art can act as a mirror, reflecting and refracting our understanding of power.