Interior with Two Figures Dressed in Antique Costume 18th-19th century

Curator: This delicate pencil sketch, "Interior with Two Figures Dressed in Antique Costume," is by Jean-Baptiste Joseph Wicar. It is currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels airy, almost dreamlike. The figures are graceful, though unfinished, giving the piece a sense of fleeting beauty. Curator: Wicar was a student of Jacques-Louis David, so it’s not surprising to see this Neoclassical interest in antiquity. Think of the political implications—a return to republican ideals. Editor: True, the clothing and setting clearly reference a specific construction of the classical world, but I’m drawn to the labor of creating it. Look at the visible sketch lines; the making is on display. Curator: The lack of finish also highlights the role of the Academy in shaping artistic production during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, doesn't it? It’s like we're seeing the artistic process itself being staged for us. Editor: Precisely. We glimpse the artist's hand and mind at work, giving us a new appreciation of the materials and the work it takes to produce fine art. Curator: Indeed. This sketch offers us an interesting look at both the artistic process and the political and cultural context that shaped its creation. Editor: Yes, and for me, it underscores the value of artmaking, too.