James Russell Lowell c. 19th century

Editor: This is Gustav Kruell’s portrait of James Russell Lowell, housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a compelling image, so stately and dignified, like peering into a bygone era. What do you make of it? Curator: It whispers of intellectualism and perhaps a touch of the old guard, doesn’t it? I feel a connection to history, as if Lowell might start reciting poetry any minute. The etching work is so very precise, capturing every strand of that magnificent beard. What do you feel when you see the work? Editor: It's interesting how the artist used such fine lines to create depth and texture! It also gives the portrait a timeless quality. I guess I feel a certain reverence looking at it. Curator: Yes, and doesn't that detailed rendering evoke the weight of tradition and the importance of legacy? It’s a reminder that art can truly immortalize a person, don't you think? Editor: Absolutely! I never thought about portraiture that way before.