Fotoreproductie van een schets van een zieke man die bidt voor een altaar, door Albert Hendschel before 1870

Editor: This is a reproduction of a drawing called "Fotoreproductie van een schets van een zieke man die bidt voor een altaar," or, roughly, "photographic reproduction of a sketch of a sick man praying at an altar," by Albert Hendschel, created sometime before 1870. The fragility of the lines conveys such raw emotion… a desperate plea, maybe? What jumps out at you when you see it? Curator: Oh, absolutely. There's a vulnerability that just seeps from the pencil strokes. It's as though we're intruding on a moment of profound intimacy. Look at how Hendschel captures the contrast between the man's frantic prayer and the quiet concern in the woman's stance. Notice the broken crutches beside the man... I find myself wondering about the unseen narratives at play. Is this illness the cause of his broken crutches, or vice-versa? Do you find your own narrative playing out as you study this piece? Editor: That's such a good question! I think it's a scene of illness, obviously, and asking for healing… The woman looks like maybe she’s a caregiver… What else could this sketch be saying, historically, do you think? Curator: Given the time period, think about the state of medicine and societal views on illness. Prayers were sometimes the only solace. There is also a kind of unadorned humanity that really captures that historical context for me. Hendschel really made a sketch that resonates even now. Editor: That’s true! I’m going to look at sketches with new eyes, going forward! Thanks so much for sharing. Curator: My pleasure! It is these small, poignant glimpses into lives long past that keep me searching through history's discards.