Madonna and Child with Saint John c. 17th century

Curator: We're looking at Giovanni Battista Pasqualini's "Madonna and Child with Saint John," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a bit austere, no? All those sharp lines, like a penance for something. Curator: Pasqualini, active in the early 17th century, was very much working within the established traditions, where clarity and line served to underscore established doctrine. Editor: True, but look at Mary's eyes. There’s a tenderness there, an almost melancholic acceptance, despite the formal style. It's quite moving, actually. Curator: Consider how prints like this circulated religious imagery, shaping social perceptions of motherhood and divinity. The image served as both art and propaganda. Editor: I see it! It makes me want to grab my etching tools and let loose. Curator: Indeed, it’s a powerful example of how technique and intention intertwined. Editor: Absolutely, a fascinating confluence of piety and pure artistry.