Untitled (portrait of a woman) 1983

Curator: Here we have an untitled portrait of a woman by Shellburne Thurber, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Its dimensions are roughly 57 by 44 centimeters. Editor: The first thing I noticed is a sort of melancholic beauty, maybe a touch of defiance in her gaze. That earring... it's almost bird-like, so fragile against the sharp edges of her hair. Curator: Thurber’s work often explores themes of identity and representation. The monochrome palette here really emphasizes the texture and form. Editor: It’s interesting, isn't it, how she's framed almost like a cameo, but there's something so modern about her at the same time? Makes you wonder about all the untold stories. Curator: Exactly. The portrait's lack of specific dating allows it to transcend a fixed historical context. Editor: It’s a face that lingers, you know? It invites you to invent her narrative. Curator: It certainly makes us question the role of portraiture. Editor: Absolutely. A fascinating glimpse, frozen in time.