Two Capitals in Perspective; verso: Abacus in Perspective 1839 - 1840

Curator: Here we have Washington Allston's "Two Capitals in Perspective," a preparatory sketch in sanguine crayon. It’s housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is this intense feeling of… anticipation. It's unfinished but full of potential, like a world about to be built. Curator: Indeed. The composition relies on a stark contrast between the solidity of the capital and the negative space, drawing our attention to form and structure. The very act of drawing in perspective is critical here. Editor: Precisely! And you can see Allston wrestling with depth, the way he captures light. It really speaks to the ephemeral nature of ideas as they solidify. Curator: An acute observation, one that underscores the power inherent in artistic intention and architectural form. Editor: This piece becomes a testament to the foundations of our own imagination. I'll carry this image with me.