Torso Studies c. 16th century

Curator: This drawing, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, is entitled "Torso Studies" by Raffaele da Montelupo. Editor: It strikes me immediately as fragmented, vulnerable. The incomplete forms suggest a narrative abruptly cut short. Curator: Indeed. Montelupo, born in 1505, was working within a societal structure that emphasized specific ideals of male beauty and power. Consider the role of the Church and patronage during the High Renaissance. Editor: So, how might we interpret these studies through, say, a queer lens? The disembodiment could signify a critique, a breaking down of those very power structures. Curator: A compelling angle. It also opens avenues to examine the cultural politics of the male body during the artist's life, which, in turn, impacts our reading today. Editor: Absolutely. It encourages us to question not just what is depicted, but *why* and for *whom*. That enriches my understanding. Curator: Mine too. This piece reveals how an artist's skill intersects with both historical and contemporary dialogues.