Abbott Lawrence Lowell (1856-1943) 1935

Editor: Here we have a drawing of Abbott Lawrence Lowell by Lawrence Wills Baker. It's a rather small portrait, very delicate pencil work. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Considering Lowell’s controversial legacy at Harvard, especially his role in implementing discriminatory policies, I see this portrait as a potent reminder of the power structures embedded within institutions. Editor: So you're saying a simple portrait can reflect broader social issues? Curator: Precisely. Who gets memorialized, and how, speaks volumes about whose stories are valued. It invites us to critically examine the narratives we uphold. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s important to consider the power dynamics at play when viewing historical portraits like this.