Two Studies of a Left Eye c. 1832

Curator: Here we have Eugène Delacroix's "Two Studies of a Left Eye," a small drawing housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's an intimate glimpse into the artist’s process. Editor: Intimate is right. The stark contrast between the crisp upper eye and smudged lower one feels raw, almost melancholic. Curator: Delacroix's dedication to mastering form is on full display, wouldn't you agree? Consider the labor, the repeated strokes of graphite shaping those eyelids. Editor: Absolutely. And it highlights the role of institutions like the Harvard Art Museums in preserving these artifacts of artistic labor. How do these study pieces inform our understanding of Delacroix's more public-facing paintings? Curator: It reveals that even a master like Delacroix engaged in rigorous practice. It democratizes art-making, showing the work behind the perceived genius. Editor: It also offers a glimpse into the evolving role of art education, doesn’t it? Consider what it reveals about academic figure study. Curator: Good point, it's a testament to both artistic skill and the power of museums in preserving such glimpses into the past. Editor: Indeed. I'm left pondering the role of observation in the creation of art and the enduring power of a single gaze.