Drawing of a Boy 1884

Curator: Here we have William Valentine Schevill’s "Drawing of a Boy," held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a profile, mostly gray, conveying a quiet, almost melancholic mood. Curator: Note the pencil work and the paper itself. The texture is quite present, almost as significant as the subject, emphasizing the handmade nature of the drawing. Editor: The medium is crucial; it signifies accessibility. Pencil and paper are tools of learning, available across classes, democratic in spirit. Curator: True, and it prompts us to consider access to education and artistic training in the 19th century. Who was able to produce such drawings, and whose labor went unnoticed? Editor: Its subtle grace is captivating. I admire how such simple materials yield such compelling and emotive contours. Curator: Agreed. The study transcends its form and the boy transcends his class. Editor: Indeed. Such an understated masterpiece.