Niobid 

Editor: Here we have George Romney's sketch, "Niobid," from the late 18th century. The ink wash gives it a raw, immediate feel. What strikes you about the making of this piece? Curator: The sketch's power lies in its directness. Consider Romney's choice of ink wash—a relatively inexpensive and quick medium. It allowed for rapid iteration of ideas. How does that relate to the final, polished paintings he's known for? Editor: So, it's less about the finished product and more about the artistic process as a form of labor? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the typical 18th-century emphasis on refined, finished works. The "Niobid" sketch spotlights the materiality and the economics driving artistic creation. Editor: I see, it's a revealing glimpse into the workshop and the artist's mind. Curator: Exactly, it reframes our understanding of Romney's work by emphasizing its production.