Floating Woman 1924

Curator: Gaston Lachaise, active in the early 20th century, sculpted "Floating Woman," a bronze piece here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s surprisingly sensual, isn't it? The curves feel exaggerated, almost dreamlike, like a fertility goddess. It really celebrates the feminine form. Curator: Absolutely. Lachaise challenged traditional notions of beauty. Considering its size—around a foot tall—and the lost-wax casting method, the artist's labor and material choices play a significant role. Bronze was a key material in making durable and highly detailed work. Editor: It’s interesting to see that this sculpture makes you think about labor. I find it almost rebellious, like a joyful rejection of the restrictive beauty standards of the time. A big middle finger to that tyranny. Curator: I see that! It's a potent expression of individual artistic vision within the socio-cultural context of its creation. Editor: Exactly, it feels almost alive! It is as if it floats on its own, even without the pedestal. A real inspiration!