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Editor: This is an untitled sketch from the British School, part of the Tate Collection. It's a pretty simple drawing of a donkey's head. I’m struck by how expressive it is, even though it's just a sketch. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating intersection of animal representation and social commentary. In 18th and 19th century Britain, the donkey was often employed as a symbol of the working class. It represents the burden of labor and, sometimes, stubbornness. Do you think the artist is making a statement about societal roles? Editor: Hmm, I hadn't considered that. I was just thinking about the skill it took to capture the animal’s snarl. Curator: Well, the two aren't mutually exclusive. The artist's skill serves the broader purpose of imbuing the animal with symbolic weight, which is vital to understanding its place in British visual culture. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Considering the cultural context always enriches the experience.