Two Human Beings (The Lonely Ones) c. 1899 - 1917

Editor: This is Edvard Munch's "Two Human Beings (The Lonely Ones)," currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like it's done with watercolor. There's such a sense of isolation in the composition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a critique of the restrictive social conventions of Munch's time. Look at how the figures are positioned – separate, almost barricaded by the boats. This resonates with the constraints placed upon individuals, particularly women, in expressing their desires and identities. Do you notice how the woman is facing away, almost ghostlike? Editor: Yes, she seems trapped. Curator: Exactly. This can be read as a commentary on the limited agency afforded to women, especially within the confines of marriage and societal expectations. It's a powerful, albeit melancholic, statement. Editor: That's a really insightful way to look at it; it makes the loneliness even more palpable. Curator: Indeed. Art often holds a mirror to society, reflecting its beauty, but also its injustices and unresolved tensions. Editor: Thank you for opening my eyes!