Coachmen 

Editor: Here we have "Coachmen" by Constantin Guys, done with ink and watercolour. It's a busy scene; my first impression is one of contained chaos, and the way he's captured all that detail with such loose lines is fascinating. What captures your attention in this piece? Curator: Well, isn't it all just a fabulous flurry of feathered hats and perfectly postured… posturers? The sheer *joie de vivre* practically leaps off the page, don't you think? I'm immediately drawn to the knowing glances, the suggestion of hushed conversations amidst the pomp. I wonder what kind of story these guys are weaving, huddled there with their knowing smiles? Or am I merely projecting a scene of elaborate intrigue onto an innocent portrayal of 19th century dandies? What do *you* think they're up to? Editor: I hadn’t really considered the "story" element, but I guess you're right, there’s a sort of anticipation or…mischief? in the air. Almost theatrical. Is it common for Guys to create that narrative tension in his other work? Curator: Absolutely. Guys was a flâneur, darling! He strolled through life, notebook in hand, capturing the fleeting moments, the gossip, the whispers of Parisian society. This piece is a perfect little snapshot of that world – vibrant, slightly ridiculous, utterly captivating. It’s that almost voyeuristic glimpse that he's so adept at. Do you find that makes you somehow complicit in their game, whatever it is? Editor: I do now! Thanks, it's definitely given me a lot to think about, and look for in other pieces by him. Curator: Exactly, it's about inviting us to conjure a hidden world within that gorgeous watercolour wash. Just lovely.