Reclining Male Nude 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross's "Reclining Male Nude," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, appears to be a study, focusing on form. Editor: It's all angles and light, somehow vulnerable and strong at the same time. The choice of paper really softens the whole thing. Curator: The blue paper stock is interesting, especially when considering the cost of materials available. Was this chosen for aesthetic or economic reasons? Editor: Maybe it was just what was at hand, the accident that sparked the whole thing. Like finding the perfect word by chance. Curator: The texture and weight of the paper would have certainly impacted the artist's drawing process, and perhaps informed the finished work as well. Editor: I like to think the figure breathes a little easier now, thanks to us noticing him. Curator: Yes, a testament to the artist’s attention to craft, and our engagement with the labor of its making.