Akaki Wears the Coat for the First Time on the Street 1918

Curator: This is Walter Gramatté's "Akaki Wears the Coat for the First Time on the Street," a compelling image held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Stark and unsettling. The figure is almost swallowed by the coat, a dark mass against the bleak cityscape. Curator: Indeed. Gramatté, an artist associated with Expressionism, was deeply interested in the psychology of the individual within society. This image, though undated, likely reflects the anxieties of early 20th-century urban life. Editor: Look at the texture, the contrast between the rough, almost frantic strokes describing the coat and the more subdued background. It amplifies the figure's sense of alienation. Curator: The title itself is a reference to Gogol's short story “The Overcoat,” a tale of poverty and social injustice. Gramatté's print seems to be a visual echo of that narrative, highlighting themes of marginalization. Editor: The composition certainly evokes that. The figure is isolated, turned away, and almost consumed by the darkness, a powerful statement. Curator: It invites us to consider the silent struggles within the human experience, particularly concerning societal expectations and the individual's sense of belonging. Editor: A somber piece that resonates deeply, urging us to look closer at those often overlooked in the urban landscape.