Plant Stalk c. 1874

Curator: This delicate work, entitled "Plant Stalk," is by Charles Herbert. It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There’s a quiet stillness about it, like a captured moment of spring just before it bursts forth. Curator: Herbert lived during a time of increasing industrialization, and botanical studies gained popularity within educational institutions. Editor: It's interesting to think of the piece within that broader cultural context. Perhaps Herbert was seeking to capture and preserve a bit of nature's fragility amidst all that change. Curator: Possibly. There’s also the simple pleasure of observation. Editor: Indeed. And who knows, maybe he just liked the way the light fell on those leaves. Curator: A good reminder to look at the artwork and its historical context. Editor: Yeah, sometimes a plant stalk is just a plant stalk... but beautifully rendered, no?