Drapery Study; verso: Drapery Study (knee) c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Edward Burne-Jones' "Drapery Study; verso: Drapery Study (knee)," a delicate pencil drawing currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkably subtle. The soft graphite gives the fabric a fluid, almost ethereal quality. It really emphasizes the fall and folds of the material. Curator: Indeed. Burne-Jones' meticulous attention to line and shading elevates what could be a simple study into a captivating exploration of form. Notice how the gradations create volume and depth, suggesting a weightiness that belies the lightness of the medium. Editor: I'm struck by the artist's labor, carefully rendering the fabric. It makes me consider the textile industry during Burne-Jones' era, and the skill involved in producing such materials, now reduced to a sketch. Curator: A valid point. While the drawing itself lacks overt symbolism, the drapery serves as a stand-in for the body beneath, evoking classical sculpture and ideals of beauty. Editor: Perhaps. But for me, it's about the materiality of the cloth itself, represented through labor and artistic skill. Curator: A thoughtful material reading. It seems we both find something to admire in this small drawing.