Head of an Old Woman c. 17th century

Curator: This is Nicolaes Maes's "Head of an Old Woman," a small drawing held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's an immediate somberness to it, a quiet acknowledgement of age and perhaps hardship, given the etched lines of her face. Curator: Maes’s technique here is quite economical, relying on washes of ink to build form. The visible paper suggests a study, focusing intensely on capturing the texture of skin and fabric. Editor: The head covering is interesting—it feels both protective and indicative of a certain class or status, a visual symbol hinting at her place in society. Curator: Consider the labor implied in this sketch—Maes quickly rendering the woman's features, potentially as preparation for a larger composition, turning the everyday into art. Editor: And what about the eyes? There's a weariness there, but also a sense of resilience, a story etched within the symbol of the face itself. Curator: Yes, indeed; and by focusing on the materiality of both the subject and the medium, we gain insight into the social realities of the era. Editor: Ultimately, it prompts us to reflect on aging and memory as universal experiences.