Prince Louis Bonaparte 1805 - 1824

Curator: This is a sketch of Prince Louis Bonaparte by Jacques-Louis David. It measures about 21 by 16 centimeters and is part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is how spare it feels. All those lightly drawn lines and the implied grid suggest a study, a work in progress. Curator: Indeed. It seems to capture Bonaparte in a moment of transition. David was known for his Neoclassical style, and even here, the subject's attire hints at power and authority, though it is just a sketch. Editor: I'm intrigued by the grid itself. It reveals the working process, the material underpinnings of David’s art. The marks on the paper, the graphite, the physical act of planning – these are crucial aspects of understanding its creation. Curator: Absolutely, but I also see a symbolic framework here. The rigid grid juxtaposed with the flowing lines of the prince's cloak and hat creates a visual tension, suggesting perhaps the tension between order and change in the Napoleonic era. Editor: It's a fascinating piece when considering the time and the man depicted, Louis Bonaparte. Seeing it broken down to such rudimentary lines makes it less precious and far more human. Curator: Precisely. It’s a glimpse behind the curtain, into the making of an image that would carry significant cultural weight. Editor: A revealing look at both the material and the metaphorical construction of power.