Alexander Agassiz (1835-1910) 1921

Editor: Here we have Paul Bartlett's bronze bust of Alexander Agassiz at the Harvard Art Museums. He looks quite dignified. What strikes you most about it? Curator: I see a depiction of power and privilege, but also one inherently tied to the history of scientific exploration and its complex relationship with colonialism. Agassiz was a leading marine biologist, but his work was intertwined with the exploitation of natural resources. How do we reconcile these aspects of his legacy? Editor: That's a very good point. I never considered the implications of science in that way before. Curator: Examining these sculptures critically allows us to question the narratives they present and the values they uphold. It is important to remember that art does not exist in a vacuum. Editor: Thank you. I now have a better understanding of its historical context.