Dog with Ball c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Edward Martin Taber's "Dog with Ball," a charming pencil sketch now held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Ah, it feels so fleeting, like a memory barely grasped. All that shaggy fur, but rendered with such light strokes. What a mood. Curator: Its simplicity certainly allows us to consider the role of domestic animals in art and society, and how even a quick sketch can evoke companionship. Editor: I wonder if Taber saw something of himself in that dog—the yearning, the playful energy held in check. Curator: It’s interesting how the lack of a specific date invites us to see it as timeless, a universal image of canine joy. Editor: Exactly, like a little whisper of unconditional love, sketched on a quiet afternoon. Makes you want to grab a ball and head to the park.