The Teacher c. 20th century

Curator: Welcome. Here we see Emily Winthrop Miles' bronze sculpture, "The Teacher", currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm drawn to the patina, that oxidation that gives the bronze a rich, almost ancient, quality. It emphasizes the textures and folds in the figure's robe. Curator: Absolutely. The figure is presented as an authority figure, robed and bearded, with a book tucked under his arm. The base inscription speaks to the act of teaching. Editor: Yes, but the composition—the way the figure's weight is distributed—feels somewhat unstable, almost precarious. It unsettles the expectation of wisdom and authority. Curator: Perhaps the artist is inviting us to question established narratives? What authority does knowledge have? Who is privileged to teach? Editor: Or perhaps she is exploring the very nature of bronze itself—the tension between its permanence and its susceptibility to surface transformation. Fascinating. Curator: Indeed, the work opens up several lines of inquiry. Editor: A testament to its power.