Seated Woman c. 16th century

Editor: This is a drawing called "Seated Woman," attributed to a follower of Michelangelo. It's at the Harvard Art Museums, and I find the pose so intriguing, almost conversational. How do you interpret this work? Curator: I see a figure caught in a moment of contemplation, perhaps even defiance. Consider the male gaze often prevalent in art history. How might this "Seated Woman," created within the shadow of Michelangelo, subvert those expectations? Editor: Subvert? In what way? Curator: Well, her gaze isn't passive. It feels like an active engagement. Is she waiting? Judging? What societal constraints is she pushing against simply by occupying space and demanding attention? It's more than just a study of form. It's a study of power. Editor: That's a powerful interpretation. I hadn't considered the defiance in her gaze. Curator: Art always reflects and refracts the social dynamics of its time. Considering that is key to understanding it.