Dives and Lazarus, after Bonifacio Veronese 1887

Curator: This is Joseph Smith’s "Dives and Lazarus, after Bonifacio Veronese," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It measures roughly 16 by 35 centimeters. Editor: It feels strangely dreamlike, a faded memory of opulence and suffering, separated by a theatrical stage. Curator: The painting reproduces Veronese's work, reflecting on themes of wealth, poverty, and divine judgment through the materiality of watercolor. Editor: Yes, the loose, almost watery application emphasizes the transient nature of earthly riches and the beggar's plight. It's all a bit melancholic, isn't it? Curator: Smith’s interpretation here, through its replication, raises interesting questions about value, labor, and the artistic process itself. Editor: A fascinating exercise in translation, visually and conceptually. I'm drawn to that sense of echoing. Curator: Indeed. And it underscores the enduring power of Veronese's composition and its societal implications. Editor: A dialogue across time and medium—quite poignant.