Study Connected with J. Ritson’s ‘Caledonian Muse’: Men with Spears, Fighting. Verso: Sketch 1821

Editor: This is Thomas Stothard’s “Study Connected with J. Ritson’s ‘Caledonian Muse’: Men with Spears, Fighting,” undated, from the Tate Collections. It's a dynamic sketch with a lot of movement and tension. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: I'm struck by how Stothard engages with the narratives of conflict and masculinity. Consider the context: Ritson's 'Caledonian Muse' romanticized a particular vision of Scottish identity. How might Stothard's sketch, with its emphasis on battle, reinforce or challenge that romantic vision? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the Scottish identity aspect so directly. Curator: Yes, think about who is included and who is excluded from these narratives. Does it reflect the realities of power and representation at the time? How does this portrayal of conflict connect to broader issues of nationalism and historical interpretation? Editor: I see, it gives the sketch a deeper, more critical meaning than I initially realized. It’s more than just a fight scene. Curator: Exactly. It's about unpacking the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and where we come from, and who gets to write those stories. Editor: Thanks, I’ll definitely look at art through a more critical lens going forward.