Anshutz on Anatomy 1912

Curator: Look at this John Sloan etching, titled "Anshutz on Anatomy." There's an almost dreamlike quality to its depiction of an anatomy lesson, a quiet intensity. Editor: It strikes me first by the stark contrast between the skeletal figure and the artist demonstrating; it emphasizes the labor inherent in academic art production. Curator: Exactly! The artist captures a moment of learning, of grappling with the human form. The way the light filters—it's almost theatrical, don't you think? Editor: I notice how the students appear almost homogenous, like they are part of an assembly line, being trained to produce art. It is all about skills and practice here. Curator: I find it fascinating how Sloan conveys so much about the atmosphere of the classroom using such a limited palette and the etching medium. Editor: Indeed, the print medium itself reflects the repetitive nature of academic training at the turn of the century. I leave wondering what these students went on to make. Curator: Yes, a glimpse into an art world on the brink of transformation. Editor: A fascinating study in the making of art, and the labor involved.