Modesty, after antiquity c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Nathaniel Marchant's miniature intaglio, "Modesty, after antiquity." It's surprisingly small, just a few centimeters! The figure is barely visible, a ghost in the stone. How do you interpret such a subtle depiction? Curator: It whispers, doesn't it? Marchant, like a jeweler of the soul, captures the essence of modesty rather than a bombastic display. Perhaps it speaks of internalized virtue, a quiet strength. Do you feel that tension between the title and the near-invisibility of the figure? Editor: Definitely! It almost feels like a secret. I guess modesty itself is often unseen, isn't it? Curator: Precisely. It’s a paradox. Marchant presents us with a reflection—on virtue, visibility, and the enduring power of suggestion. A little gem of an idea, really. Editor: I never thought of modesty being so…powerful. Curator: These little objects can hold such big ideas! It's all about looking closely, isn't it?