Nude Male Seated on a Rock, Holding a Staff (Polyphemus) 1816 - 1818

Editor: This is Washington Allston's "Nude Male Seated on a Rock, Holding a Staff (Polyphemus)," a pencil drawing. He looks so isolated and pensive. What do you read into this depiction of Polyphemus? Curator: Allston is engaging with the myth of Polyphemus, but subverting the power dynamics we often see. Usually depicted as a monstrous brute, here he is rendered with vulnerability. How does this humanizing portrayal challenge our understanding of power and monstrosity, particularly in relation to marginalized identities? Editor: That's such an interesting point! So, it's more than just a classical subject; it's about rethinking those narratives. Curator: Precisely. Allston's Polyphemus invites us to consider the gaze, who holds it, and how that shapes our perceptions of others. It's a radical re-imagining. Editor: I’ll definitely view it differently now. Thanks!