Half-Kneeling Angel 1672

Curator: Here we have Gian Lorenzo Bernini's terracotta model, Half-Kneeling Angel, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's a raw energy here, even in this state—the clay feels so tactile, almost as though Bernini just stepped away from the workbench. Curator: Absolutely. The pose itself is rife with symbolism—kneeling as an act of reverence, the gesture towards the divine... It’s a very charged image. Editor: Right, and the quick, almost violent way the clay is worked around the wings and drapery suggests the speed and dexterity required, but also the sheer volume of material transformation. Curator: I'm drawn to the angel's expression, that slightly melancholic gaze—it really captures a sense of longing. Editor: For me, understanding the handwork involved makes it even more impressive; this isn't just a symbol, it's a testament to the artist’s labor. Curator: Indeed, it's a powerful convergence of the earthly and the divine. Editor: A truly compelling intersection of skill, material, and message.