Casts from Antique Sculpture: The Parthenon 1890 - 1891

James Henry Moser made this drawing, "Casts from Antique Sculpture: The Parthenon," date unknown, using ink on paperboard. During Moser's time, classical art was considered the pinnacle of artistic achievement, embodying ideals of beauty, order, and civilization, often tied to notions of racial and cultural superiority. White male nudes, like the ones depicted, were central to this classical tradition, reinforcing ideas about masculinity and power. The original sculptures were created in a society that valued certain bodies over others, so their reproduction in art serves to perpetuate these preferences. Moser, as a white male artist, was part of a society that elevated his perspective, but as we look at his work now, we can question the legacy of these classical forms and their impact on how we see ourselves and others. It invites us to reflect on the historical power dynamics embedded in artistic traditions and consider the diverse narratives that have been marginalized as a result.