Head of Woman Smiling c. 1869 - 1913

Curator: Well, that is certainly intriguing, isn't it? We're looking at Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux's Head of Woman Smiling, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The material is clay, with approximate dimensions of 7 1/2 by 5 1/2 by 6 3/4 inches. Editor: The rough texture of the clay gives it a rather unfinished, vulnerable feel. There's a directness in the expression, despite the missing details. Curator: The lack of finish might actually be key, pointing to the process of creation itself. This would likely be a preparatory sketch or model, intended for eventual reproduction. The labor involved in even this seemingly incomplete piece represents a step in a larger project, possibly a commentary on accessibility and the democratization of art through reproduction. Editor: I can see that, and it changes my perspective. The formal elements—the slightly upturned mouth, the angle of the head—suggest a fleeting moment of joy or amusement. That ephemeral quality is heightened by the raw materiality. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps we are witnessing a moment in Carpeaux's studio, the spark of an idea taking shape. Editor: Yes, a glimpse into the artist's process makes it all the more human.