Fright c. 1800

Curator: This is Jean-Baptiste Greuze's painting titled "Fright," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, wow. She looks like she's seen a ghost. The way her hands are clasped, it’s like she’s pleading with something just out of sight. Curator: The painting aligns with the sentimental style Greuze was known for. It's important to consider the social context: in the 18th century, there was a fascination with representing extreme emotions, particularly in women, often framed within narratives of vulnerability and virtue. Editor: Right, but the brushstrokes themselves feel so modern, almost like an impressionist take on fear. The swirling darkness in the background, that wild hair...It’s as if her inner turmoil is physically manifested. Curator: Precisely. The loose brushwork deviates from academic precision, hinting at the psychological undercurrents that reflect broader societal anxieties about gender and power. Editor: I'm totally feeling this raw emotion and the technique, a perfect combo. It’s like a glimpse into a soul, not just a portrait. Curator: Indeed, and her palpable anxiety is, even today, a reflection of the precarious position so many women face.