Scene from Ancient History: Siege of a Walled City 17th-18th century

Editor: This is François Verdier's "Scene from Ancient History: Siege of a Walled City," a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a chaotic scene rendered in earth tones, and I’m struck by the sheer amount of labor required to produce such a detailed sketch. What do you make of it? Curator: I'm drawn to the physical exertion depicted, both in the siege itself and the artist's hand. Consider the sourcing of the drawing materials—the paper, the pigments—and how their production and exchange were tied to the very power structures Verdier depicts. Editor: So, it's not just about the battle, but also about the socio-economic reality of creating the artwork itself. Curator: Precisely! The work embodies a fascinating intersection of artistic labor, material accessibility, and the historical context represented. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way before. It really deepens my understanding. Curator: Seeing the art as a product of labor and materiality provides a unique lens.