Male Profile Head 19th-20th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Denman Waldo Ross's "Male Profile Head," residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I notice the angularity. It feels like a deconstruction of form, a study of planes rather than a celebration of flesh. Curator: Indeed. Observe how the underlying geometric framework supports and shapes the portrait. Note the precise angles marked at the bottom of the sheet. It appears as an analytical exercise, a pursuit of ideal proportions. Editor: The visible grid certainly directs the eye. This piece speaks to the artist's process, revealing the labor involved in constructing this portrait. It is a study of how the artist methodically builds form through calculation. Curator: And within that framework, we find a delicate rendering of the human face. The interplay of line and angle creates a compelling tension. Editor: Perhaps Ross was exploring the intersection of artistic intuition and methodical construction. Curator: Precisely. It's a fascinating glimpse into the artist's working method. Editor: Definitely. It’s a study in form and process that feels as contemporary as it does classical.