Sketch of a Pug Dog 

Editor: Here we have Susanna Duncombe’s "Sketch of a Pug Dog," a small drawing in the Tate's collection. I’m really struck by the delicate lines and how simply she captures the dog's form. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider the materials available to Duncombe, and how that would impact her production. The sketch, being so small, was likely a personal work, perhaps a study. It raises questions about the accessibility of art materials at the time and the social context surrounding female artists. Editor: That's a great point. I hadn’t considered the social aspect of artistic creation in that period. I guess what materials she had access to would be telling of her social standing. Thanks for opening my eyes to that! Curator: And how the consumption of art materials also fuels the economy of the time. Glad I could help!