Lola de Valence c. 1862

Editor: This is Edouard Manet's "Lola de Valence," its exact date unknown. It’s a small watercolor piece held by the Harvard Art Museums. I find the monochromatic color scheme conveys a certain melancholy. What do you see in it? Curator: I see a fascinating negotiation between the Spanish exoticism that captivated 19th-century Europe and Manet's own artistic intentions. The dancer's attire, the fan, all speak to a constructed idea of "Spanishness," but Manet’s quick brushstrokes seem to question the authenticity of that image. Editor: So, it's about more than just depicting a dancer? Curator: Precisely. It's about exploring how cultural identity is performed and consumed, and how easily symbols can be manipulated. The image serves as a cultural memory. Editor: That's a great point. I'll never look at it the same way again. Curator: Indeed, symbols shift and accrue meaning, reflecting the societies that create and interpret them.