Male Head 19th-20th century

Curator: Denman Waldo Ross’s "Male Head," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a striking graphite study. Editor: It strikes me as classical, even in its unfinished state. The subject exudes a subtle, almost melancholic air. Curator: Perhaps that sense derives from the composition, the geometric lines underlying the sketch. These shapes, like superimposed structures, imply the subject’s place within systems of power and artistic tradition. Editor: I see that, but those lines also suggest an inherent symmetry, evoking Renaissance ideals of balance and human perfection. It seems to be searching for something deeper in the subject. Curator: The identity of the sitter remains a mystery, but the sketch prompts us to consider the representation of masculinity through art historical and social lenses. How have norms shaped perceptions of power and identity? Editor: This invites us to consider how we still view images of men through inherited lenses. Curator: Precisely. Editor: This piece certainly gives us much to contemplate. Curator: Indeed, a rich work that continues to spark meaningful dialogues.