Head of a Moose 19th-20th century

Curator: This is William Rowan's "Head of a Moose," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It measures about 25 by 19 centimeters. Editor: The stark whiteness of the paper lends an almost spectral quality to the animal. It feels both powerful and vulnerable. Curator: Absolutely. Rowan's choice of graphite to depict the moose—the labor required for each precise line—speaks volumes. It becomes an act of respectful observation. Editor: And the moose itself... its antlers, a display of virility, become intertwined with human fascination and perhaps exploitation. What narratives were being formed about nature at this time? Curator: A critical lens helps us confront the colonial gaze often embedded in wildlife art, implicating historical power dynamics. Editor: It reminds us of the complex relationship between humans and the natural world and our responsibility when representing nature's beings. Curator: Indeed, and this piece can open conversations about how we approach such works.