Paris c. 18th century

Editor: This is George Romney's "Paris," a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. The figure is striking, with that raised hand... It feels like a dramatic declaration. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a figure caught between classical ideals and the sociopolitical tensions of Romney's time. The idealized physique and classical references clash with the raw, almost unfinished quality of the drawing. Editor: Unfinished, how so? Curator: Notice the bold strokes and the stark contrast. It's as if Romney is wrestling with the past, questioning the very foundations of established artistic and social orders. How does this reading affect your initial impression? Editor: It adds a layer of complexity I hadn't considered. Art isn't just beauty, it's a reflection of its time. Curator: Precisely. And sometimes, a challenge to it.