Study of a Male Face 19th-20th century

Curator: Immediately, I notice the raw, fragile quality of the graphite on paper. Editor: We are looking at Denman Waldo Ross's Study of a Male Face, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It is a study of light and shadow in portraiture. Curator: The visible erasures and sketchy lines reveal the artist's process. It reminds us that the act of making art is not always about the finished product. Editor: The unfinished quality draws attention to the act of observing and representing masculinity. Whose gaze is being centered here and how does this representation perpetuate or challenge the existing canon of idealized male portraiture? Curator: I'm interested in the labor evident in this sketch, the choices in materials, like the smoothness of the paper itself and how that contributes to the overall image. Editor: It invites us to think critically about how power dynamics and social norms are embedded within seemingly simple artistic practices. What stories are not being told in this face? Curator: Agreed. Considering the materials provides a deeper understanding. Editor: This glimpse offers a lens through which to engage with broader societal conversations about representation.