Girl Distributing Grapes c. 19th century

Editor: This is Friedrich Wilhelm Zimmermann’s "Girl Distributing Grapes," a print from the Harvard Art Museums. There's a sense of abundance and perhaps generosity in the act depicted. What symbols stand out to you? Curator: The grapes, of course, are loaded with meaning. Think of their association with Bacchus, god of wine, ecstasy, and theatre. What emotions do the figures’ postures evoke in you? Editor: A kind of serene beneficence from the grape-giver, and hopeful anticipation from the child. Curator: Precisely! The image evokes classical ideals of charity and maternal care but does it also reflect its historical context? Perhaps the anxieties around access to resources? Editor: That’s a darker, interesting layer I hadn’t considered. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It’s a reminder that symbols are never static, always adapting to their time.