Character from a French Opera; verso: Two Male Nudes on a Promontory c. 1862 - 1875

Curator: This is William Rimmer's "Character from a French Opera," a delicate pencil drawing, part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels so fleeting, almost a ghostly apparition. The figure, posed dramatically, seems to emerge from the very paper. Curator: Indeed. Rimmer, active in the mid-19th century, was deeply engaged with portraying human anatomy and dramatic expression. Note the theatrical costume, hinting at a narrative beyond the visible. What opera, though? Editor: The stance—arms outstretched—suggests a moment of confrontation or revelation, potent in its symbolism. Perhaps it's about the clash between personal will and societal expectations, common themes in operas of that era. Curator: And the verso of the sheet, "Two Male Nudes," offers another layer, hinting at Rimmer's exploration of form and classical ideals—perhaps a dialogue between public performance and private study? Editor: Precisely. Together, they reflect Rimmer’s interest in how art stages and reflects human experience. Curator: Yes, Rimmer captures the very essence of staged drama and the timeless human form.