Invitation Card for the Feast of St Luke, with a Sketch of the Pediment of a Greek Temple 1718

Curator: This is Sir James Thornhill’s “Invitation Card for the Feast of St Luke, with a Sketch of the Pediment of a Greek Temple.” It’s rendered in pen and brown ink, dating likely from the early 18th century. Editor: It’s wonderfully baroque! The muscular figure on the left, seemingly holding up a temple, exudes such dynamic energy. Curator: Indeed. Thornhill, known for his grand history paintings, used this sketch as an invitation to celebrate St. Luke, the patron saint of artists, emphasizing the elevated status artists sought in society. Editor: The composition, with the artist at his easel framed within that ornate oval, feels almost like a symbolic declaration of self-importance. Curator: Absolutely. These feasts allowed artists to assert their cultural significance. Thornhill even includes his own address on the invitation, subtly promoting his practice. Editor: The material itself—ink on paper—creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, belying the grandiosity of the imagery. Curator: It’s a fascinating confluence of personal invitation and professional promotion. Editor: A captivating glimpse into the artistic circles of the period.