Head of a Ram 19th-20th century

Curator: This drawing is entitled "Head of a Ram" by William Rowan, and it's housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite a striking image, isn't it? Editor: It is. There's a delicacy to the rendering, a softness in the shading that belies the subject. One immediately wonders about the labour involved in achieving such detail. Curator: Indeed. Rowan's technique, using pencil on paper, creates this beautiful contrast between the rough texture we associate with rams and the smooth finish of the drawing itself. Was this intended for mass production, or a unique display? Editor: It's hard to say without knowing its context within Rowan’s broader work. Perhaps it was a study. The ram, of course, carries significant symbolic weight in art history. Curator: Exactly, think of its use in heraldry, religion, and even commercial imagery. Rowan's choice is compelling, given how rams have come to represent both power and sacrifice. Editor: Well, I am drawn to the artist’s rendering of texture and form, and what that process might tell us about the artist’s approach to their subject. Curator: Absolutely, and considering its place within the museum's collection, it invites us to consider how institutions like ours shape the narrative around art and animals. Editor: A lot to consider in a simple sketch! Curator: Indeed. It speaks volumes.