View of a Village c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Jan Lievens' "View of a Village," housed right here at Harvard Art Museums. It's a delicate landscape sketch, feels almost dreamlike. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: It feels deeply personal, doesn’t it? Like a half-remembered place, seen through a veil. I’m drawn to how Lievens uses the reed pen to create such a sense of depth with so few lines. Notice how the church spire barely peeks through the trees. Is it a memory, a wish, or maybe just a quiet observation? Editor: A bit of all three, perhaps? It definitely invites contemplation, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. For me, it's a reminder that sometimes the simplest images hold the greatest mysteries. What about you? What will you remember after seeing this sketch?