Man Riding on a Steer c. 16th century

Editor: This intriguing circular piece, "Man Riding on a Steer," is an anonymous drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. I find the texture quite fascinating. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let's consider the materiality. The ink, the paper, the very act of drawing: these are all readily available materials. It suggests a deliberate decision to represent power, armor, and even nobility, through common means. Is it challenging perceptions of art? Editor: That's a great point. So, it’s not just about the image, but the social implications of its creation? Curator: Exactly. The image and the anonymous labor behind it are entwined. What do you make of the contrast? Editor: I hadn't considered the labor aspect so directly before, but it certainly casts the image in a new light. Curator: Precisely. By understanding how art is made, we understand how it participates in culture.