The Raven 1875

Curator: This is Edouard Manet's "The Raven," currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Stark. The composition is all sharp angles and deep blacks set against that aged paper. It feels incredibly modern, almost brutal. Curator: Indeed. Manet, though often associated with Impressionism, consistently pushed against its boundaries. Note the almost obsessive rendering of form through shadow and contrast. Editor: I see that. And one can't ignore the cultural weight of the raven itself, especially in the late 19th century. A clear nod to Poe, certainly, but also a broader interest in the macabre creeping into artistic circles. Curator: Precisely. The raven, as an archetype of doom and ill omen, gained significant prominence during this era. Manet uses it to engage with themes of mortality and the anxieties pervading modern society. Editor: It's fascinating how Manet uses such minimal means to achieve such a resonant emotional effect. Curator: It is a testament to Manet's genius – a simple sketch, yet loaded with historical and symbolic weight.