Standing Nude

Curator: Here we have "Standing Nude" by Emily Winthrop Miles, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as quite poised, almost confrontational, despite the nudity. The hand on the hip adds such a level of… confidence. Curator: Indeed. Considering the historical context, a woman artist crafting the female form is itself a statement. How does this subvert the male gaze, and reclaim agency? Editor: And the materiality! The work begs to be touched, examined. I wonder about the labor involved in its creation. The polishing, the carving... Curator: Precisely. What are the politics embedded in this presentation of the body, and how does that affect the reading of the work itself? Editor: The artist's hand is ever present, isn’t it? It’s a powerful thing to keep in mind. Curator: An excellent way to engage with art, thank you.