John Stevens 1933

Curator: This is Denman Waldo Ross's sketch of "John Stevens," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: I am immediately struck by the direct gaze and the vulnerable openness captured in this simple pencil drawing. Curator: Ross was very interested in the social role of art and its potential to elevate everyday life. This portrait captures the kind of genuine human connection he often sought. Editor: The subject's look slightly upward suggests a connection with something unseen, possibly spiritual, adding another layer to that vulnerability. Curator: A reminder that even seemingly simple images like this hold complex meanings rooted in cultural and personal narratives. Editor: It makes me think about how much intention and cultural memory is embedded in the sitter's gaze.