Modern Folio with Typed Text and Inscriptions c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "Modern Folio with Typed Text and Inscriptions." It appears to be a document listing drawings, rather than a drawing itself. It feels very analytical, almost like a catalogue entry. What strikes you most about its composition? Editor: Well, the text is so prominent. I’m curious about the arrangement of the typed lists and the handwritten notes. What do you see in this piece beyond the surface-level information? Curator: Observe the contrasting textures: the mechanical precision of the typed text against the fluid strokes of handwriting. Note how the lists delineate specific red crayon and pencil sketches. The materiality itself—paper, ink, the act of inscription—becomes the focal point. Editor: So, it’s less about the content of the lists, and more about the visual interplay between the different forms of inscription? Curator: Precisely. The document itself becomes an artifact, prompting questions about its creation and function as a record of Fragonard's work. Editor: I never thought about a list as a piece of art! Curator: Indeed, seeing the document as a composition highlights its own inherent qualities.