Portrait of a Bearded Man in a Suit 19th-20th century

Editor: This is Denman Waldo Ross's "Portrait of a Bearded Man in a Suit," currently at the Harvard Art Museums. There's a somber mood to it, wouldn't you say? What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's more than just a portrait. Consider the historical context – who was typically afforded the privilege of having their portrait painted? How does this depiction reinforce or challenge those power dynamics, particularly regarding masculinity and class? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't thought about the power aspect of portraiture. Curator: Exactly. And the dark, almost obscured background – is it concealing or revealing something about the sitter's identity and the societal pressures he might have faced? These visual choices aren't neutral. Editor: This makes me think about how we interpret portraits today. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, art gives us the ability to dissect societal norms, both then and now.