Portrait of Solomon Loeb 1897

Curator: This is Anders Zorn's etching of Solomon Loeb, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The texture of the lines creates such a stark, yet intimate portrait. Editor: It’s quite dark, isn't it? I’m struck by the sheer labor that went into creating all those etched lines. You can see how the copper plate would wear down with each impression. Curator: Note the way Zorn uses light and shadow. Loeb emerges from the darkness, his gaze direct, almost challenging. It speaks to his stature. Editor: And what of his clothing? The dark fabric seems to absorb all light. I wonder about the labor involved in producing such a dense, luxurious material. Curator: Clothes are definitely a mark of status here, signaling prosperity. Zorn was quite skilled at capturing the essence of his wealthy patrons. Editor: Yes, and this etching process, readily reproducible, helped in disseminating images of wealth and power to a wider audience. It’s a means of social propagation. Curator: Looking at it closely, the image feels both powerful and vulnerable. It’s a potent mix of social standing and human frailty that Zorn captured beautifully. Editor: Ultimately, this work makes me consider the systems of value at play in both the creation and the representation of wealth.