Figure drawing is often described by artists as a way of facilitating empathy and understanding another person’s vulnerability. A discussion of works by Jozef Israëls and his contemporaries, such as Vincent van Gogh, offers insights into the transformation of figure studies from an academic discipline into a vehicle for denouncing social injustice.

Led by:
Joachim Homann, Maida and George Abrams Curator of Drawings, Division of European and American Art

This talk is part of a series inspired by ReFrame, a museum-wide initiative to reimagine the function, role, and future of the university art museum. These talks examine difficult histories, foreground untold stories, and experiment with new approaches to the collections of the Harvard Art Museums, reflecting the concerns of our world today.

This talk will take place online via Zoom. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required. To register, please complete this online form.

Learn more about this event.