Study for Self-Portrait (verso: Study of Arm and Hand) 17th-18th century

Curator: Here we have Sir John Medina's "Study for Self-Portrait," a small drawing residing at the Harvard Art Museums. There's also a study of an arm and hand on the back. Editor: My first impression is its fragility, almost ephemeral. The tentative lines and the muted tones really emphasize the process of creation. Curator: Absolutely. Consider Medina's access to materials; paper and graphite were becoming more readily available, influencing the rise of preparatory sketches. Editor: And the self-portrait aspect is interesting. Was he considering the social implications of portraying oneself, particularly in a time of shifting class structures? Curator: Possibly. This drawing hints at a broader narrative of artistic identity and the commodification of self-representation. Editor: Seeing the artist's hand, his process, makes me consider how access to artistic training was often determined by gender and class. Curator: Precisely, and this drawing, in its raw state, allows us to consider those questions with fresh eyes. Editor: It’s a fascinating glimpse into the artist's world, and I appreciate the way it makes me question the relationship between art and society.