Male Head with Radial Symmetry 1933

Editor: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross’s "Male Head with Radial Symmetry," a pencil drawing, dated February 21, 1933. It’s kind of like a geometric study layered on top of a portrait. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, Denman Ross. He was obsessed with beauty as a mathematical equation. The radial symmetry isn’t just decorative; it’s his attempt to codify ideal proportions, to unlock the secrets of aesthetic harmony, maybe a response to the disharmony of his time. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s more than just a portrait with lines? Curator: Exactly! It's Ross searching for order through art. Think about it: in the early 1930s, the world felt pretty chaotic. Perhaps Ross sought refuge in this blend of art and geometry, trying to find solid ground. Did it work, do you think? Editor: Maybe for him. I definitely see the appeal of finding logic in beauty. Curator: Me too, now that I realize the social context.