Woman Under a Tree (Old Testament Subject?) c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Rodolphe Bresdin's "Woman Under a Tree (Old Testament Subject?)," a petite drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels almost like a fleeting memory, this little world he's created. What do you make of it? Curator: It's intriguing, isn't it? Bresdin's pen seems to dance across the page, creating this dreamlike, almost biblical scene. The woman, so central and calm, feels like a guardian of a secret. It's as if he's whispering a story, and we’re straining to hear it. And you? What story do you think she holds? Editor: I hadn't thought of her as a guardian, but I like that interpretation. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It always feels like such a privilege to consider the possibilities.