Sketchbook 1786 - 1792

Curator: This is a sketchbook by Joshua Reynolds, the celebrated 18th-century English portrait painter. There isn't a specific date associated with it, but it's a fascinating glimpse into his working methods. Editor: Wow, it looks…old! Like a relic someone might've unearthed. I’m drawn to the textures on the cover, all those smudges and marks. You can almost feel its history. Curator: Absolutely. As a material object, it speaks to the very labor of art-making. These sketchbooks reveal not just Reynolds' ideas, but also the material conditions of artistic production in his time, the availability and cost of paper. Editor: It's like peeking into his brain, the raw, unfiltered thoughts before they become grand portraits. I wonder what secrets are locked inside. Curator: The sketches within offer insight into his creative process, revealing studies for larger compositions and his engagement with the classical tradition. They also situate him within the power dynamics of his time, considering his role in shaping the image of the British elite. Editor: Seeing this makes me realize the artist was human, too. Beyond the fancy commissions and fame, there's this intimate object that was his companion. Curator: Precisely. And for me, it highlights the crucial point that even the most seemingly straightforward artworks are deeply embedded within complex social and historical webs. Editor: I'll definitely think about it differently now, thanks.