Standing Female Nude c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Elie Nadelman's "Standing Female Nude." It's hard to pinpoint a date, but it's part of the Harvard Art Museums' collection. The simplicity of the lines almost makes her look like she's floating. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Ah, Nadelman! He had a way of making the classical feel so… contemporary, don't you think? It's like he took the grace of ancient sculpture and gave it a wink. Notice how the lines are both delicate and bold? It’s almost as if he's challenging traditional notions of beauty and form. Does it feel that way to you? Editor: Yes, it does! There is a kind of tension. It's like she's classic but also modern. Curator: Exactly! It's that push and pull that makes Nadelman so fascinating. A true original, bending the rules with a playful touch. It makes you think about what beauty means, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, I’ll never look at a nude the same way again.