Detail of Altar Mosaic, S. Prassede, Rome, Italy c. 20th century

Curator: Here we have Kenneth John Conant's "Detail of Altar Mosaic, S. Prassede, Rome, Italy," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like looking at a forgotten blueprint, those faint lines hinting at something grander, almost celestial. Curator: Conant’s drawing captures the essence of the mosaic’s design, perhaps a study of its geometric construction. The repeated circles, those woven patterns... it speaks volumes about the labor and the materials that would have gone into the actual mosaic. Editor: Absolutely, but it's more than just the labor; it's about the intention. This is architecture as meditative art, isn't it? The circles resonate with wholeness, a visual echo of ritual. Curator: Indeed, and considering its original context within S. Prassede, Rome, think of the social function, as well. The mosaic served as a focal point, engaging the congregation in communal worship. Editor: I'm left pondering how this meticulous design translates into the shimmering, tactile reality of mosaic. Curator: Precisely, it's a record of the artistic process. Editor: That's a beautiful way to put it, framing design as a key part of the art itself.