Adoration of the Kings c. 17th century

Curator: This is Pietro Santi Bartoli's "Adoration of the Kings", housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The date of the artwork is unknown. Editor: It's intense! All these bodies converging on the central scene, but from completely different social strata. Curator: Let's consider the socio-economic context. The printmaking process itself—the labor involved, the distribution of these images—made art accessible to a wider audience. Editor: Exactly! Notice how Bartoli positions the marginalized—peasants, laborers—alongside the regal figures. It’s a powerful statement about who has access to the divine. Curator: The etching technique allows for incredibly fine detail, especially in the clothing and facial expressions. The materiality of ink on paper becomes a vehicle for religious and social messaging. Editor: It makes you think about the power dynamics embedded in the image, about who gets to be represented, and how. Curator: It is a beautiful reminder of the interplay between artistry and accessibility. Editor: Indeed, the way it reflects our own biases and assumptions.