Truth (after Bernini) c. 17th century

Curator: Here, we’re looking at “Truth (after Bernini),” attributed to Giovanni Battista Gaulli. It's a study measuring about 13 by 9 inches, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression? Vulnerability. The figure's pose, gazing upward, feels almost like a plea for understanding. Curator: It’s interesting you say that. The sketch is thought to be based on Bernini’s unexecuted sculpture of Truth Unveiled by Time. There's a real tension between the idealized form and the raw emotion. Editor: Yes, the upward glance—the chiaroscuro emphasizing the figure's torso—it all directs our gaze, compelling us to engage with her. I think that is the purpose of art. Curator: Perhaps Gaulli hoped to capture the very moment of unveiling, that transition from darkness to light, ignorance to… well, truth. Editor: So, it's not just about the subject, but how the artist uses form to convey revelation. Thanks, I love your theory.