Two Figures c. 19th century

Editor: This is Rodolphe Bresdin’s "Two Figures," a very small drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. The sketchiness makes me think of a quick study, but what do you see in terms of its historical context? Curator: Bresdin often depicted marginalized figures. Considering his own struggles with poverty and social alienation, this piece can be viewed as a commentary on the lives of the dispossessed. How might this resonate with its potential audience? Editor: That makes me think about who would have seen something so small, and how. Was this meant for public consumption? Curator: Perhaps it was intended for a small circle, a counter-cultural group reflecting and critiquing mainstream society. This scale encourages an intimate, perhaps even subversive, viewing experience.