Giving Drink to the Thirsty c. 17th century

Curator: This engraving, "Giving Drink to the Thirsty," is by David Custos and it resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There is an almost unsettling sense of abundance and servitude here, the way figures pour and receive liquid. It makes me consider power dynamics. Curator: It presents a scene of charitable distribution, fitting into a long tradition of representing acts of mercy and social responsibility, often tied to religious virtues. Editor: But who defines "mercy," and who benefits? The composition and setting raise questions of access and the very structures that necessitate such acts. Curator: Absolutely. The work prompts viewers to consider not just the act of giving, but the systems that create the need in the first place. Editor: It also makes me think about today’s systems, and who gets access to resources. An engraving like this, from centuries past, still echoes with contemporary relevance.