Galatea (?) c. 18th century

Curator: This is Johann Heinrich Lips's "Galatea (?),” and it's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels like a dream, doesn't it? That delicate line work, and the way the sea melts into the sky. Curator: Lips, who lived from 1758 to 1817, really captures a sense of movement with those swirling lines. Notice how the composition is structured around the oval shape. Editor: Absolutely, the oval contains the scene perfectly, like a little world. I get a sense of longing, of being adrift. It's quite affecting, even for such a small image. Curator: The textures are remarkable too, when you consider the precision needed to create them. Lips was so skilled! Editor: Yes, it's an exquisite balance of freedom and control. It reminds us how much beauty can be found in simplicity and the quiet of a dream. Curator: I agree, it is a very delicate statement about the possibilities of art.