Head of a Woman c. 19th century

Editor: This is Jean-Charles Cazin's "Head of a Woman," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm struck by how the soft charcoal lines give her a sense of melancholy. What historical context informs our reading of this piece? Curator: Cazin, working in the late 19th century, participated in a revival of interest in peasant life and depictions of women. The sketch-like quality suggests a focus on immediacy, inviting viewers to see the labor and skill inherent in art making and think about its role in democratizing access to art. What kind of public was he imagining? Editor: I see, so it’s about the accessibility of both the subject matter and the artistic process itself. Thanks! Curator: Precisely! It makes you wonder who was meant to own art like this, and how it changed ideas about who could appreciate art.