Dancing Bacchante, after a bas-relief, Villa Albani, Rome, Italy c. 20th century

Curator: Here we have Kenneth John Conant’s "Dancing Bacchante, after a bas-relief, Villa Albani, Rome, Italy," a drawing held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The immediate impression is one of lightness and grace. The delicate lines give the figure a sense of movement, as if she’s about to step off the page. Curator: Conant meticulously recreates the bas-relief, capturing its classical elegance. The grid underneath suggests a scientific approach, studying classical forms for their architectural possibilities. Editor: Absolutely. Note how the drapery falls; it's not just decorative. It emphasizes the underlying structure, almost like a fluted column in motion. Curator: This drawing also reveals a moment in the history of taste, when classical art was deemed an important element in constructing civic identity. Editor: A fascinating lens through which to consider how past forms influence present sensibilities. Curator: Indeed, this drawing offers much to contemplate.