Portrait of a Young Man 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Portrait of a Young Man" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite striking. I am fascinated by the visible brushstrokes and the raw, almost unfinished quality of the piece. What does this emphasis on the materiality of the paint suggest to you? Curator: The visible brushstrokes highlight the labor involved, don’t they? The artist isn't hiding the means of production. We need to consider the social context too. Who had access to materials and leisure to create such portraits, and what was the purpose of portraying this young man in this style? Editor: So, you're saying the very act of creating and displaying this portrait speaks to class and privilege? Curator: Exactly. Think about the pigment itself, the canvas, the artist's time – all commodities. How does this change your understanding of the artwork? Editor: I see now. It is about so much more than just the image. I'll be viewing portraiture through a new lens moving forward.