Head of a Woman c. 1884 - 1889

Curator: Pierre Henri's "Head of a Woman" presents us with a study in charcoal, presently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It strikes me as serene, almost melancholic in its simplicity. Editor: The charcoal and paper support, the very material presence, suggests a rapidly produced, inexpensive study. The rough texture implies a workshop environment, where countless such sketches served as training exercises. Curator: Indeed, and yet the delicate rendering of her features, the downward gaze, evokes a timeless, almost archetypal image of womanhood. Is she a muse, a goddess, or simply a model playing a role? Editor: Or could it be the artist's wife, a family member, her identity linked to the Henri family's economic survival? The labor embedded in this piece extends beyond the artist to the social context of its creation. Curator: Interesting how the marks around her head may suggest a halo and speak to the symbolic and spiritual potential of her representation. Editor: Perhaps, but let’s not overlook the practical need for head coverings of the time, an aspect of daily life that also speaks volumes. Curator: A wonderful point, it seems that both of us view the image in our own specific ways. Editor: Precisely, and to me, it’s the synthesis of both perspectives that enriches our understanding.