Shakespeare's Tomb 1782

Curator: This is Francesco Bartolozzi’s “Shakespeare’s Tomb,” held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The sepia tones create a very subdued, almost melancholic, mood. It reminds me of those faded photographs from the Victorian era. Curator: Indeed. The image presents a Neoclassical woman, draped in flowing garments, paying tribute to Shakespeare by adorning his tomb with flowers. Editor: The oval composition frames the scene beautifully, drawing the eye to the central figure and the tomb itself, yet the details of the surrounding landscape are soft. Curator: She embodies the cultural memory and enduring influence of Shakespeare's works, acting as a symbol of veneration. These images were often made as keepsakes, connecting people across time and space through the symbol of the Bard. Editor: The light, delicate engraving technique softens the edges and enhances the sentimental tone. It's a print designed to evoke emotion through its form as much as its subject. Curator: It seems the work successfully blends reverence for the past with the artistic conventions of its time. Editor: Absolutely, a poignant dialogue between form and feeling.