The Large Bathers c. 1896 - 1898

Curator: Here we have Paul Cézanne's "The Large Bathers," an intriguing ink on paper print, housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's captivating. The linework feels both hesitant and assertive, lending the figures a timeless quality. Curator: Cézanne, known for his Post-Impressionist paintings, often returned to the theme of bathers. This print offers a glimpse into his process of exploring form and composition. The print would have been part of a larger tradition of the male nude throughout art history. Editor: I see these figures as more than just aesthetic studies. There’s a clear homoerotic energy. It's fascinating to consider these figures in the context of contemporary notions of masculinity and the male gaze. Curator: That's a stimulating point. While Cézanne's intent remains open to interpretation, we can certainly analyze the work through various lenses, including those of gender and identity. Editor: Absolutely. Ultimately, this print acts as a mirror, reflecting our own cultural and personal perspectives back at us. Curator: Indeed, it prompts us to question the role of institutions and how we interpret art through their influences.