The Necklace 1952

Curator: This is "The Necklace" by Massimo Campigli. It's held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The colors are earthy, the texture rough. The figures are almost monumental in their simplicity. Curator: Campigli often referenced ancient Etruscan art. You can see it in the stylized features and the solemnity of the figures. Editor: There's a rawness here, a sense of the artist's hand at work. It pushes against the coldness often associated with classical themes. Curator: Exactly. The necklace itself becomes a symbol of connection. Binding these figures together. Editor: And the printmaking process emphasizes the materiality. The ink, the paper, all contribute to a feeling of weight and presence. Curator: It speaks to the enduring power of human relationships, even across millennia. Editor: It's a beautiful reminder that even the simplest materials can convey profound emotional depth.