Head of a Man c. 20th century

Curator: Pavel Tchelitchew's "Head of a Man" at the Harvard Art Museums presents a subtle study in portraiture, measuring approximately 50 by 38 centimeters. Editor: It almost disappears into the paper. What a ghostly, ephemeral quality, like a fading memory. Curator: Indeed. Tchelitchew, born in 1898, was fascinated by inner states made visible. The upward gaze can signify aspiration or perhaps spiritual yearning. Editor: Looking at the marks, the thin washes, makes me think about the artist's hand, his process of layering almost nothing to create a presence. Curator: A presence that hints at a deeper significance through minimal means. The work invites contemplation on the human condition through a unique symbolic lens. Editor: It’s the tension between the bare materials and the implied subject that’s compelling. Curator: A compelling insight, indeed. Editor: The artist's choices enhance this ghostly feeling.