Sketch for ‘Christ Rebuking His Disciples by Calling the Little Child’ c. 1858

Editor: This is Charles Robert Leslie's sketch for 'Christ Rebuking His Disciples by Calling the Little Child', currently housed in the Tate Collections. The figures seem to be swallowed by the shadows, and it feels like there is tension between the figures. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The dim lighting definitely amplifies the tension, doesn't it? I see a critique of power dynamics embedded in the scene. Consider the historical context: Leslie, painting this biblical scene, was also living in a society grappling with social hierarchies and the role of children. How might the disciples, representing established authority, be challenged by Christ's focus on the child? Editor: So, the painting isn’t just about a biblical event, but a commentary on social structures of Leslie's time? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to question who is valued and whose voices are heard. The child, often marginalized, becomes central. It reframes our understanding of power. Editor: That's a fresh perspective. I hadn’t considered the social implications. Thanks!