Sketchbook page c. 1776

Editor: Here we have a Sketchbook page by Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin, housed in the Harvard Art Museums. The wash and graphite give it a dreamy, ethereal quality. What historical narratives might this piece be engaging with? Curator: The sketch's reference to François Boucher is key. Boucher's decorative allegories often depicted idealized, sexualized female figures, reinforcing aristocratic notions of beauty and power. Do you think Saint-Aubin is critiquing or celebrating this tradition? Editor: Perhaps a bit of both? It feels like he's observing and documenting, but also participating in the visual language of his time. Curator: Precisely. Consider how the male gaze operates within this depiction. Whose perspective is centered? How does that shape our understanding of gender and representation in the period? Editor: It's fascinating to think about how a simple sketch can reveal complex social dynamics. Curator: Indeed. By analyzing these visual cues, we can excavate the power structures and cultural values embedded within the artwork.