Head of a Woman c. 20th century

Editor: We’re looking at Gaston Lachaise’s drawing, “Head of a Woman,” housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's deceptively simple, with only a few lines creating the figure. What do you see in this piece, looking at its form? Curator: Notice how Lachaise uses line to create volume and suggest a monumental quality, despite the work's modest dimensions. The economy of line is striking. The form, while minimal, evokes a sense of classical sculpture. How does the curvature of the lines affect your perception? Editor: I see what you mean. The rounded lines create a softness, almost maternal, despite the stark simplicity. It’s quite powerful. I now better understand the impact of the line. Curator: Indeed. And it is in this interplay of simplicity and monumentality that Lachaise's genius resides. The drawing transcends its medium to become a study in pure form.