A Lover's Farewell c. 19th century

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this intriguing, undated sheet music cover, "A Lover's Farewell," created by an anonymous artist. It depicts a poignant scene of parting. Editor: It feels… staged. The ink itself seems mass-produced, aiming for emotion, but somehow ending up rather flat. It's a business transaction, this sadness. Curator: Note the typography, its ornate flourish framing the central image. The visual symbols—the lovers' clasped hands, the framed portrait on the wall—speak to enduring themes of love and loss. Editor: I am much more interested in the publisher's mark and address at the bottom. It makes me think about the economics of popular music at the time, and how it was distributed and consumed. Curator: So, even in the mass-produced, we can find echoes of the deeply human experience. A farewell, captured and sold. Editor: Right. It is a reminder that emotions, like materials, are subject to industrialization and commercialization. Curator: An interesting perspective on a simple cover! Editor: Indeed, something to contemplate.