Silenus Drunk c. 17th century

Curator: This is Frans van der Steen's "Silenus Drunk," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of burdened tenderness, but with a hint of chaotic energy in the sky behind them. Curator: It's an intriguing depiction. Silenus, the companion of Dionysus, is typically associated with revelry and intoxication, and the figures around him seem to be struggling with his inebriated state. Consider the socio-political and ritualistic dimensions surrounding alcohol in Van der Steen's era. Editor: Absolutely. I'm drawn to the bouquet he clutches. It's a symbol of abundance, but also fleeting pleasure. The expressions on the faces around him – concern, perhaps even a touch of fear – speak to the complex relationship between indulgence and consequence. Curator: And look at the etched lines themselves, the artist is playing with light and shadow to emphasize the weight of Silenus and perhaps the moral weight of the scene. Editor: It's a fascinating interplay of classical mythology and human emotion, filtered through the artistic conventions of the time. Curator: Yes, a lot to unpack in this etching. Editor: Definitely a journey through symbols and sensibilities.