Sketches of Girls and a Man (Dr. Soft) 1893

Curator: This sketch by William Valentine Schevill, titled "Sketches of Girls and a Man (Dr. Soft)", is a small work on paper in the Harvard Art Museums' collection. The initial impression is almost dreamlike, disjointed. Editor: What stands out to me is the visible hand of the artist—the very process of sketching feels present. You can see the subtle gradations achieved through pencil, the layering of marks to define form. Curator: It's fascinating how Schevill juxtaposes these seemingly unrelated figures. The two girls huddled together create a contrast with the isolated man in a top hat. Are we seeing reflections of social roles of the period? Editor: Absolutely. Looking closer, you can see the various studies of objects like cups and the repetition of lines that reveal the artist's exploration of form. It becomes less about representation and more about the act of making. The paper itself becomes a record of labor. Curator: It prompts reflection about the role of the artist's hand, and of the historical context of artistic production. Editor: Indeed, it’s a glimpse into the artist's practice that transcends its representational value.