Fist holding a pole, eyeball in corner; verso: Head and shoulders of a young girl Possibly 1817

Curator: This small drawing, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, is by Washington Allston, born in 1779. It's titled "Fist holding a pole, eyeball in corner." Editor: Intense! It feels almost like a fragment of a dream, something glimpsed from the corner of my eye. The hand has such a determined grip. Curator: The fist certainly conveys resolve. A hand holding a staff often represents authority, guidance, or even pilgrimage. The isolated eye, however, complicates this reading. Editor: Right? It's like a surreal twist. Is it watching us? Or is it a symbol of inner vision, somehow connected to the hand's purpose? Maybe Allston was exploring the interplay of action and perception. Curator: It could also hint at hidden burdens. A fist, even when strong, implies pressure. That watchful eye might be a representation of conscience or perhaps even regret. Editor: A powerful little piece, brimming with potential interpretations, like a half-remembered story, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. Allston gives us just enough to ignite our own imaginations.