Charles S. Parker with Mirror 19th-20th century

Editor: So, this is Denman Waldo Ross's "Charles S. Parker with Mirror" at the Harvard Art Museums. The raw brushstrokes and the subject’s gaze feel really intimate. What do you see in this piece, beyond the surface? Curator: It’s tempting to see this as a simple portrait, but let's consider the power dynamics at play. Ross, likely a man of privilege, capturing Parker, a younger man, often depicted nude—what does this say about visibility, about who gets to be seen, and on whose terms? Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t fully considered. How does that influence our understanding of the artwork today? Curator: It compels us to question the gaze, to acknowledge how the artist’s position shapes the narrative. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about social history, identity, and representation. This artwork becomes a space for critical engagement. Editor: I’ll definitely remember to look at art through that lens going forward. Curator: Indeed, let's always ask "who benefits?" when engaging with art.