Sheet of Studies, including a Skull c. 1868

Curator: This is Paul Cézanne’s "Sheet of Studies, including a Skull," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small drawing, just about 12 by 23 centimeters. Editor: The skull dominates the composition, yet it’s surrounded by these fleeting, almost spectral figures. It feels like a meditation on mortality and the transient nature of existence. Curator: It is interesting to view these studies in relation to larger societal power structures. Death, as represented here, is the ultimate equalizer, dissolving the hierarchies and identities that govern life. Editor: Absolutely. The skull, of course, has been a potent symbol in art for centuries, often representing the vanity of earthly pursuits. Curator: Yes, and situating it within Cezanne's later period, we can interpret the recurring skull motif as a statement on aging, as well as a pointed critique of bourgeois values. Editor: Looking at this study, I'm reminded of the power of symbols to transcend time, connecting us to the past while urging us to consider our future. Curator: Indeed, the starkness of the skull juxtaposed with the ephemeral figures prompts us to consider what legacies we leave behind and for whom.