Profile Study of a Soldier; verso: Sketch of a Man Working 1864

Curator: This is a small pencil sketch by Sanford Robinson Gifford, titled "Profile Study of a Soldier." It resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The first word that comes to mind is "weary." The lines are faint, yet there's a palpable sense of exhaustion etched onto this soldier's face. Curator: Gifford, known for his Hudson River School landscapes, likely made this during the Civil War. Sketches like these served as preparatory studies, or perhaps captured immediate impressions. Editor: It's compelling to consider the power dynamics at play. Was this soldier a willing subject? Did Gifford fully grasp the gravity of the soldier's experiences, or was he merely aestheticizing war? Curator: The sketch's simplicity is deceiving. Gifford’s ability to convey so much with so few lines shows great skill and understanding of form. Editor: For me, it's a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. It prompts us to reflect on the narratives we construct around war, and whose voices are often silenced. Curator: Looking at this sketch, I am reminded of how artists of the era used their craft to bear witness to the tumultuous times, trying to capture both the heroic and the human elements of war. Editor: It's a powerful piece, sparking important conversations about representation and the ethics of witnessing.