Copy after the Figurine c. 17th century

Curator: This is Salvator Rosa's "Copy after the Figurine," a work housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It has a strangely unsettling feel, despite its modest scale. The red chalk lends an almost sanguinary atmosphere. Curator: Rosa, working in the 17th century, was fascinated by banditry and the theater. Here, we see those themes converge. These figures, likely bandits, suggest a narrative, a staged encounter. Editor: The composition is interesting; the figure pointing seems to be directing our gaze as much as the seated man's. I am intrigued by the use of line to create light and shadow. Curator: Absolutely, the etching technique allows for incredible detail. Consider the way Rosa uses hatching to define the musculature and drapery, creating a sense of drama. Editor: It is indeed a fine interplay between social theater and formal tension. Curator: Rosa was certainly a master of manipulating both. Editor: A compelling piece; I find myself lingering on the implied tension between the two figures.