Standing Sketch of David 1925

Curator: Looking at "Standing Sketch of David" by Denman Waldo Ross, what strikes you first? Editor: There's a raw, almost vulnerable quality to it, presented through the simplicity of the pencil strokes. Curator: Ross sketched this figure using graphite on paper. I believe he was aiming for an ideal, as the gridlines suggest an underlying structure. Editor: The materiality is interesting, though. The visible pencil work and unfinished lines reveal the process of creation, the labor, challenging the notion of a perfect, untouchable ideal. Curator: It also reminds me of the academic tradition of studying the male nude, while possibly referencing Michelangelo’s iconic sculpture of David. Editor: I agree; that gives us some context for viewing this work. It makes me think about how these images were produced and seen. Curator: Absolutely. This dialogue between process and cultural aspiration makes the piece quite compelling. Editor: It's a delicate balance that definitely gives us food for thought.