Dr. Denman W. Ross (1853 - 1935) 4 - 1887

Editor: This drawing, titled "Dr. Denman W. Ross," is a pencil sketch at the Harvard Art Museums by Joseph Smith. It feels very understated, almost like a preliminary study. What strikes you about it? Curator: The sketch's seeming simplicity belies its engagement with the politics of portraiture. Consider the institutional context: Harvard, an elite space, showcasing a portrait of an academic. How does this image contribute to the construction of intellectual authority and the perpetuation of certain social hierarchies? Editor: That's an interesting angle! I was so focused on the artistic technique. Curator: The technique, the very act of sketching, can be viewed as a tool, a mode of representation that subtly reinforces or challenges the status quo. What do you make of the sitter's gaze? Editor: It's averted, thoughtful. I guess I hadn’t considered how much power even a simple portrait can hold. Curator: Exactly. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it's always participating in a larger conversation about power, identity, and representation. Editor: This has totally changed how I see the drawing. Thanks!