Barking Dog; verso: Walking Male Figure Carrying a Flag over his Shoulder c. 1805 - 1808

Editor: So, this is Washington Allston’s teeny-tiny sketch, "Barking Dog," and on the back, a figure carrying a flag! It feels…fleeting. Almost like catching a half-remembered dream. What do you see in its whispery lines? Curator: A flash of life, definitely. Allston's capturing movement, energy, not just a static image. The dog mid-bark, the figure striding…it’s like he’s chasing something, or being chased. Do you get a sense of urgency? Editor: A little, yeah. But it's softened by the lightness of the sketch. It’s not dramatic, more like a quick observation. Curator: Exactly! Think of it as Allston’s visual shorthand. He's boiling down complex ideas, narrative possibilities, into these essential gestures. What do you think he was planning? A larger painting, perhaps? Editor: Maybe! It feels so immediate, though, like he just had to get it down. I’m seeing the value in capturing these passing moments. Curator: Me too! And that little dog – he’s definitely the star for me.