Caryatid c. 20th century

Curator: Here we have Amedeo Modigliani’s sketch, "Caryatid," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There’s something really raw about the pencil lines against the brown paper; you can almost feel the pressure of Modigliani’s hand as he worked out the figure. Curator: Absolutely. Modigliani was deeply influenced by classical sculpture, and it shows. But caryatids traditionally served as architectural supports, and here, she’s self-contained, almost collapsing inward. Editor: I’m drawn to the way the form emerges from the materiality of the page itself. The sketchiness emphasizes the labor and process, highlighting the translation of form. Curator: It's fascinating how Modigliani uses a classical reference to explore modern anxieties and the changing role of women in society. Editor: And it all comes down to those physical lines; that graphite connecting the conceptual and the corporeal. Curator: A powerful reminder of art's capacity to embody complex societal shifts. Editor: It truly makes you appreciate the work and energy in creating a piece like this.