Edwin (Thomas Haden) 18th-19th century

Curator: This is John Raphael Smith's "Edwin (Thomas Haden)," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is melancholy, with the young man gazing wistfully toward the sky. Curator: The upward gaze is an interesting choice, hinting at enlightenment but also suggesting the weight of longing and perhaps unrealized dreams. The axe lying discarded points to a rejection of labor. Editor: Absolutely. And the contrast of his finely crafted clothing against the backdrop of nature speaks volumes about social class and privilege. It feels like a subtle commentary on the escapism afforded to some. Curator: I see the image as a modern take on the pastoral, a figure who embodies reflection. Editor: Perhaps, but it's hard to ignore how that yearning gaze might reflect the social inequities of the time. Curator: An interesting counterpoint! Editor: Indeed, it’s an image that can certainly speak across time in different ways.