Untitled (portrait, woman seated, formally dressed, fur, pearls) c. 1930

Curator: This is an untitled portrait by Harris & Ewing, preserved at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial response is of a bygone era, a sort of ghostly elegance. The stark contrasts give it a theatrical, almost surreal quality. Curator: Indeed. The composition is quite striking, isn't it? The sitter, formally dressed, is positioned against what appears to be a painted backdrop, creating a layered effect. Editor: Exactly! The backdrop provides context. Are those classical figures or garden elements? The use of space is interesting and emphasizes the flatness of the image. Curator: I see it as a study in contrasts, the cool detachment of the sitter versus the almost baroque excess of the fur and pearls. It evokes a sense of mystery, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely! Its formalism offers a quiet reflection on the nature of portraiture itself, while its play of textures and light invites us to engage with its visual vocabulary. Curator: It makes you wonder about her story.