Reclining Male Nude 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Frank Samuel Eastman's "Reclining Male Nude" from the Harvard Art Museums, a pen and ink drawing on paper. It's striking how the stark lines create such volume. What can you tell me about Eastman's process here? Curator: The rapid, almost frantic linework suggests a focus on the act of drawing itself. Consider the cheapness of paper, the accessibility of ink. Was Eastman exploring mass production techniques through this medium? Editor: Mass production with drawing? I wouldn't have considered that. Curator: Think of the sketch as a study, a reproducible unit. Did Eastman view this nude as a commodity? It is something to ponder. Editor: It really shifts my perspective when I think about artmaking as labor. Curator: Precisely.