Portrait of a Woman 1859

Editor: Here we have Gustave Courbet's "Portrait of a Woman," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. There’s a certain quietness to her expression that’s captivating. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see Courbet engaging in the socio-political act of representing a woman outside the male gaze. Her averted gaze, her unidealized features, resist the traditional objectification inherent in portraiture. Consider the patriarchal structures Courbet challenged. Editor: So, you see her stance as a form of quiet rebellion? Curator: Precisely. Courbet’s realism wasn’t just about depicting the world as it was, but also about questioning who was deemed worthy of representation and how. It’s a feminist statement, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, but I see it now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Considering art through a socio-political lens always reveals new layers.