Galatea c. 19th century

Curator: This is "Galatea" by Antonio Ricciani, an Italian artist who lived from 1775 to 1847. It's an engraving on laid paper, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Wow, it's got a certain… exuberance. All those bodies! Cherubs in the sky, sea creatures below. It feels very alive, like a Baroque party on the waves. Curator: Indeed. Ricciani’s work often reflects the Neoclassical fascination with mythological subjects, and this piece showcases the sea nymph Galatea in motion. The composition borrows heavily from earlier interpretations of this myth, circulating these images and the power they represent. Editor: The swirling figures definitely create a sense of dynamic movement. I love the way the light catches the figures. It's almost as if they're emerging from the sea foam itself. What do you suppose audiences at the time thought about this piece? Curator: Prints like this one democratized access to art. So while it might be viewed as a bit overwrought today, in its time it provided a tangible connection to the grand narratives of classical mythology. Editor: I can see that. It makes you wonder about the stories art tells, and who gets to tell them. Curator: Precisely. Editor: Well, it definitely makes you think, and that's something, right?