Male Nude Pulling on a Rope 19th-20th century

Editor: This is "Male Nude Pulling on a Rope," by Denman Waldo Ross, a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels very classical, almost like a figure study. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: Figure studies like this one were common practice. But consider *who* gets depicted and *how*. How does this depiction of the male nude play into the socio-political history of the time? Editor: So, it's not just about artistic skill but also about power and representation? Curator: Precisely. It reflects the social values and the politics of its creation. Think about whose gaze this work caters to. Editor: That's a good point; I'll definitely consider that next time I see a nude figure study. Curator: Glad to offer a new perspective.