Maternity 1893

Curator: This is Emile-Antoine Bourdelle's bronze sculpture, "Maternity," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's incredibly moving. The rough texture of the bronze gives it an almost primal feel, as if it were unearthed from the earth itself. Curator: Bourdelle was deeply influenced by Rodin, and you can see that in the expressive modeling of the figures, the raw emotionality captured in the bronze. Editor: Right. It's a powerful depiction of motherhood. It transcends the sentimental imagery often associated with the subject, highlighting the labor, the intimacy, and the physicality of the bond. Curator: Bourdelle exhibited widely and his work was acquired by numerous public collections during his lifetime, shaping public perceptions of sculpture. Editor: And how we view women, even today. The downcast gaze, the protective embrace… It's an intersectional commentary on gender, labor, and societal expectations. Curator: I agree. It is a stark reminder of the enduring power of art to provoke thought and emotion across generations. Editor: Exactly. It makes you think about the cultural narratives we perpetuate and the responsibilities we have to challenge them.