Seated Female Nude c. 1767

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums holds this drawing, "Seated Female Nude" by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Editor: I’m struck by the vulnerability of the figure. The cross-hatching gives a sense of unease, almost like a storm brewing. Curator: Greuze was a master of portraying sentiment. This drawing, though a nude study, hints at the Rococo era’s fascination with emotion. Editor: Right, and the figure’s averted gaze—what's she looking at? The gesture of her hands, clasped, seems to symbolize modesty but also a kind of inner turmoil. Curator: Perhaps. Greuze was known for his narrative paintings. While a study, this work may hint at a larger story or moral lesson about virtue and societal expectations. These images were circulated in very specific public contexts. Editor: It's fascinating how a simple red chalk drawing can evoke so many layers of meaning and interpretation even now. Curator: Indeed, the interplay of symbolism and societal forces continues to resonate.