Art Theory Text with Diagrams c. 1932

Curator: Here we have Stuart Davis’s "Art Theory Text with Diagrams," a drawing of unknown date, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as a playful exploration—like doodling meets quantum physics! There's this very matter-of-fact tone in the handwriting paired with these quirky radiating lines. Curator: Davis was fascinated by the relationship between abstract shapes and lived experience. The diagrammatic approach mirrors a broader interest in systematizing visual language. Editor: Right, but he also manages to keep it loose. I can almost feel him puzzling over it, scratching his head, trying to map how a line contains multitudes. It's kinda cosmic! Curator: It reflects the impact of modern art theory, particularly explorations into perception and form, moving art beyond mere representation toward a constructed visual reality. Editor: Which makes you wonder, is it about the art, or the theory? Maybe Davis is just reminding us that sometimes, the most profound discoveries come from simply drawing lines. Curator: Perhaps. It certainly illustrates how theoretical frameworks provide a new lens through which to view art. Editor: Indeed, and that’s what makes it a compelling and enduring piece of work.