Study of a Bare-Bellied Infant c. 1910

Curator: This is Heinrich Zille's "Study of a Bare-Bellied Infant," a delicate drawing held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's so simple, almost like a fleeting thought captured on paper. There's a vulnerability to it, a pure, unadorned observation of innocence. Curator: Zille was known for depicting working-class life in Berlin. These studies, although seemingly private, fed into his broader social commentary. He wasn't just drawing a baby; he was drawing a reality. Editor: I see that. It's not sentimental; it’s more like a raw, honest glimpse. The lines are so tentative, like he’s trying to understand the very essence of this little being. Curator: Absolutely. And consider the audience. These images circulated, shaping perceptions of childhood and poverty in a rapidly changing urban landscape. Editor: It feels timeless. I can imagine seeing this sketch anywhere and still feeling the same sense of wonder and fragility. Curator: It's remarkable how such a small piece can hold so much weight, isn't it? Editor: Definitely. A tender, yet grounded observation.