Sketches of Five Busts n.d.

Editor: This is Gerard de Lairesse’s “Sketches of Five Busts,” done in pen and ink on paper. The drawing has such a range of ages represented. What do you see in it? Curator: These aren't just any sketches; they offer a glimpse into the academic art world's methods. The varied figures - from child to aged person - signal a study in ideal forms and proportions. We see Lairesse engaging with a longer tradition of pedagogical drawing, circulated amongst academies that deeply informed artistic practices and conceptions of the human form. What impact do you think these academies had at the time? Editor: It seems like it was quite influential since many of the portraits mimic the sculpture aesthetic, focusing on idealized beauty and capturing a sense of movement or emotion. I didn’t even consider they might be teaching examples. Curator: Exactly! Now, consider the material itself – ink on paper. The relative affordability of drawing allowed wider access to artistic training, not only fostering particular drawing skill, but further establishing art's place as intellectual pursuit, thereby expanding the public role for artists. And it contributed to the status of certain academies over others! How does that shift in status resonate with you, looking at this now? Editor: I suppose it adds another layer to the art itself and the value attributed to these works, even simple sketches like these. I see that an artist's individual skills are not enough without considering historical factors. Thank you for broadening my view! Curator: And thank you for pointing to its accessible aesthetic. Considering academic drawing in relation to these issues allows for richer ways of interpreting how visual art creates culture.