The Wounded Veteran c. 1882 - 1883

Curator: Vincent van Gogh's "The Wounded Veteran," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a striking figure. Editor: Yes, it’s instantly compelling. Stark, almost confrontational, with the monochrome palette amplifying the subject's world-weariness. Curator: Van Gogh painted this portrait, in charcoal and crayon, towards the end of his life. Consider the implications of portraying a war hero during a period of shifting social and political structures. Editor: The eye patch, the medal... they speak to sacrifice and resilience, but there's also a haunting vulnerability in his gaze, connecting him to centuries of wounded heroes and archetypes. Curator: It makes us reflect on the changing public perceptions of military service and heroism itself. Editor: A powerful, lasting image that evokes both respect and profound sadness.