Three Marys and Saint John at the Foot of the Cross c. 16th century

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a drawing entitled "Three Marys and Saint John at the Foot of the Cross" by an anonymous artist. It measures about 28 by 26 centimeters. Editor: There’s a raw, urgent energy in this work. It feels so immediate, like a snapshot of grief. The cross looms in the upper right as the women huddle together. Curator: The huddled group at the base of the cross is a classic iconographic grouping, meant to symbolize the communal experience of mourning and faith. Editor: The women’s faces are so obscured, yet their shared sorrow is palpable. It strikes me how this could reflect any community grieving loss. Curator: It is a drawing, just pen and brown ink on paper, but the artist uses cross-hatching to great effect. The work provides a potent symbol of shared humanity. Editor: Indeed, the artist highlights the universal nature of suffering and solidarity. Thank you.