Saint John in the Desert c. 1729

Curator: This is "Saint John in the Desert" by François Chereau the elder, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking how the figure almost glows against the darker, rough-hewn landscape. Curator: Indeed. Look at the material contrast – the polished skin against the jagged rocks and coarse animal skin he wears. The printmaking process really emphasizes these textures. Editor: And the symbolism! John's upward pointing gesture, combined with the crude cross, speaks powerfully of revelation and faith amidst hardship. Curator: The animal skin draped on John has a history, also - most likely a leopard skin that was a costly status symbol in 18th century France. Editor: The leopard skin adds an element of luxury, clashing a bit with the desert setting but also perhaps hinting at John's renunciation of earthly possessions. It's a complex image. Curator: It invites us to consider the labor and means involved in its production and reception. Editor: I'm left pondering how symbols resonate, even across centuries.