Moor with a Horse at a Fountain c. 1846 - 1856

Editor: Here we have Théodore Chassériau's "Moor with a Horse at a Fountain," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a delicate sketch, full of implied lines. What do you make of the pairing of the man and the horse? Curator: The horse, a symbol of power and freedom, juxtaposed with the "Moor" at the fountain, speaks volumes. What cultural memories do you think Chassériau evokes with the term "Moor?" Editor: I suppose it points to a history of colonialism and exoticism. The man seems so connected to the horse though. Curator: Indeed. It evokes both domination and perhaps a shared connection to the land. Consider how the fountain itself, a source of life, becomes a stage for this complex relationship. Editor: That's a fresh perspective. It’s interesting how such a simple drawing can hold so many layers.