Three Seated Figures (recto); Seated Man in Profile (verso) n.d.

This pen and brown wash drawing of seated figures, made by an anonymous artist, invites us to consider the socio-political role of art in the 17th or 18th century. The drawing presents three figures in classical garb, evoking the visual codes of antiquity, a common practice during the era of aristocratic patronage in Europe. The appeal to classical themes reflects the cultural values of the elite, who often saw themselves as heirs to the Roman Empire. But, the loose sketch-like quality also suggests that this drawing may have been made in preparation for a larger finished piece, perhaps even for an academy. An art historian might research the archives of art academies from that time, as well as the families that sponsored them. In this way, we might better understand the role of the artist in that period, and the social institutions that shaped their work.