Studies of Ears 1622

Curator: Here we have “Studies of Ears” by Jusepe de Ribera. Editor: There’s an unsettling stillness, a silent scream captured in each line. Curator: Ribera, a 17th-century Spanish artist, seems fascinated by the ear, an organ of both hearing and balance. Editor: It's interesting how he isolates this sense. Think about what ears have heard through history—the cries, the whispers. Curator: Indeed, ears are witness to historical narratives, personal tragedies, and secrets, echoing through time. Editor: Ribera’s choice to focus on the ear emphasizes the power of witnessing, a reminder to listen to marginalized voices. Curator: The ear, a symbol of communication, invites us to hear beyond the surface, to listen to the echoes of culture. Editor: The act of listening is, itself, a form of activism. Curator: Ultimately, Ribera's studies reveal the ear not just as a physical feature, but as a potent symbol. Editor: A potent reminder of our duty to listen.