Two Studies of a Falcon; verso: Slight Studies of a Falcon c. 20th century

Curator: Gwen John’s “Two Studies of a Falcon; verso: Slight Studies of a Falcon,” captures the bird with such sparse, yet confident lines. It’s currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The drawing feels strangely vulnerable. The falcon, a symbol of power, is rendered here with a kind of hesitant tenderness. Curator: Note how John uses the graphite to build volume and shadow, particularly in the upper study of the falcon perched. The verso side has the “Slight Studies” of the falcon, suggesting a process of refinement, a search for the perfect line. Editor: Given John's biography, as a woman artist in a male-dominated field, I wonder if the falcon could be interpreted as a symbol of constraint or even a self-portrait reflecting the challenges of navigating the art world. Curator: That’s an interesting proposition; however, her focus remained on the internal relationships of shape and form, evidenced by the controlled tonal gradations. Editor: Perhaps. But art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Considering her social positioning gives us another perspective of seeing the work. Curator: I find myself appreciating how the formal elements contribute to a sense of quiet contemplation. Editor: I see the drawing as a quiet act of defiance, a subtle challenge to conventional representations of power.