Richard Reading 1973

Curator: John Wilson's drawing, titled "Richard Reading," presents a figure engrossed in a book. The piece resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The charcoal rendering is so stark, almost sculptural. The shadows ground the figure, but also give him a monumental presence. Curator: Wilson, throughout his career, focused on figures of Black dignity. The act of reading becomes symbolic here, a potent image of empowerment and self-determination. Editor: It is interesting how Wilson uses charcoal, which historically was used for preparatory sketches, as the final medium. The work is on paper; it brings the entire making process to the forefront. Curator: Absolutely. The starkness amplifies the subject's focus. Reading is not just an individual act but one loaded with cultural and political implications. Editor: Considering the paper, the charcoal, the artist's hand... it becomes so grounded, so physical, despite the lofty implications of the subject. Curator: It is a powerful intersection. The image lingers, suggesting the profound weight of knowledge and self-education. Editor: A fitting reminder of how deeply intertwined material and meaning truly are.