Sketch of a Woman with a Pen 19th-20th century

Editor: This is William Valentine Schevill's "Sketch of a Woman with a Pen," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels so immediate, just a few lines capturing her thoughtful pose. What’s your take on it? Curator: I’m struck by the means of production here. Consider the very act of sketching. The choice of pen and paper, readily available materials, democratizes the artistic process. This isn't about expensive oils, but the immediate expression facilitated by accessible tools. How might the availability of these materials have influenced Schevill’s artistic output and the accessibility of art to a broader audience? Editor: That’s a good point, it does make the work feel more accessible. Thanks for that new perspective! Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that art is often shaped by the materials and social context in which it is created.