Spotlight Tour: Model as Muse, with Giselle Acosta ’27

Spotlight Tour: Model as Muse is a free, public, in-person tour led by Harvard undergraduate Giselle Acosta ’27. Acosta will examine how artists portray their models, focusing on figures elevated to the status of “muse.” The tour considers Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s *A Sea-Spell* (1875–77), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s *Self-Portrait with Cat* (1920), and a 13th-century Persian plaque.

Spotlight Tours offer thematic, student-selected perspectives on the Harvard Art Museums’ collections. They are conversational and typically center on three artworks. The Ho Family Student Guide Program trains Harvard students to create research-based tours while developing skills in visual analysis, critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership; this program is supported by the Ho Family Student Guide Fund.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Showtimes: 11:00am–11:50am

Run time: Approximately 45 minutes; this scheduled tour runs for 50 minutes.

Tickets: Free

Venue: Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Format: In person and open to the public

Leader: Giselle Acosta ’27

Featured works: Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s *A Sea-Spell* (1875–77), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s *Self-Portrait with Cat* (1920), and a 13th-century Persian plaque

How to join: Check in at the Visitor Services desk. Space is limited. Spotlight Tours generally begin outside the museum shop.

Accessibility: To request accommodations, contact Visitor Services at am_register@harvard.edu or 617-495-9400. Further information is available through the Harvard Art Museums’ Accessibility page.

General information: Visitors should consult the museum visit page for general guidelines.