Seated Nude c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "Seated Nude," a watercolor measuring about 15 by 11 inches, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, attributed to an imitator of Auguste Rodin. Editor: Immediately, I am struck by its ethereal quality. The soft washes and delicate lines give the figure a sense of weightlessness, almost as if she's floating in a dream. Curator: That's an interesting observation. The pose itself, the way she seems to recoil, reminds me of the historical constraints placed on women's bodies in art, and the frequent depictions of female subjects in vulnerable states. Editor: I see that, but I’m drawn to the way the artist uses such a light touch. It is a Venus figure, but not the common idealized version. There is an underlying theme of fragility, of fleeting beauty, perhaps. Curator: Perhaps you're right. Considering that this is from an imitator of Rodin, it makes me wonder about the artistic lineage, the different layers of influence. Editor: Yes, the image's enduring power, across time, makes it clear why we still find it so thought-provoking.