Schematic Studies of a Head c. 1794 - 1795

Editor: This is "Schematic Studies of a Head," by the British School, around the 18th century, housed at the Tate. It's a series of head drawings. What do you see in this piece, as a historian? Curator: These studies reflect the academic art training of the time. Art academies emphasized mastering anatomy and ideal forms. What does it say about the social status and roles of portraiture in that era? Editor: That's a good point! I hadn't thought about how academic training shaped artistic production. Curator: Precisely. The piece demonstrates the power structures embedded in artistic institutions. Think of the patronage systems. Editor: I'll definitely be thinking about the socio-political forces at play when looking at art from now on.