Sketch of a Castle; verso: blank c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have Joshua Reynolds's "Sketch of a Castle," a delicate graphite rendering housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite ethereal, almost a dreamscape. The castle barely emerges from the page. Curator: Reynolds, of course, was deeply embedded within the British art establishment. His work often reflects power and status. Editor: But this sketch feels different. The castle seems vulnerable, its flag limp, perhaps a commentary on the shifting power dynamics of his time? Or does this sketch represent the traditional patriarchal structures of that time? Curator: It's compelling to consider the sketch as a challenge to the accepted norms, a quiet rebellion against the grand portraits for which he was known. Editor: It certainly offers a more intimate, vulnerable glimpse into Reynolds's thinking. There is something very feminine in its rendering, which challenges the colonial masculinity of the time. Curator: Indeed, a fascinating piece to consider in the context of his larger body of work. Editor: Absolutely, and a reminder that even within established narratives, resistance can find its form.