Studies after the Antique c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have "Studies after the Antique" by Jean-Claude Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non. It looks like a collection of sketches, almost like doodles from classical sculptures. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s a fascinating peek into an artist's mind, isn't it? I see Saint-Non almost communing with antiquity, trying to understand the essence of these forms. It makes me wonder, what did these figures whisper to him? Editor: Whisper? I hadn't thought of it that way! Curator: Maybe it was more of a visual shout, or perhaps a quiet, insistent hum. Either way, he's trying to capture something beyond just the surface, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely! It feels like he's searching for the soul of these ancient works. Curator: Precisely! And in doing so, he reveals a bit of his own soul as well. Editor: That's beautifully put! Thanks for opening my eyes to that.