Study of a Female Nude Seen from the Back c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Pierre Henri's "Study of a Female Nude Seen from the Back," held at the Harvard Art Museums. The graphite on paper gives it a raw, almost unfinished feel. What can you tell us about this study? Curator: Consider the materiality. Graphite, a readily available material, democratizes art-making. This study highlights the labor of artistic production, revealing the hand of the artist and the process of creating an image. Notice the visible grid lines; how does that affect your perception? Editor: It emphasizes the technical aspect, the construction rather than just the image itself. I hadn’t thought about the social implications of graphite being so accessible. Curator: Precisely. Henri's choice reflects a shift in artistic practice, a move towards valuing the process and democratizing art. It makes you wonder, who was this model, and what was her relationship to the artist? Editor: Interesting. I’ll definitely look at sketches differently from now on, thinking about the materials and the artist's choices in that context. Curator: Indeed, it provides a richer understanding of the piece.