[title not known] 

Editor: This is an untitled sketch by Prince Hoare, dating from around the late 18th or early 19th century. It's done in sanguine, and it has this wistful, classical feel. What strikes you most about its composition? Curator: The figure's contrapposto, though subtly rendered, is pivotal. It directs our gaze along a deliberate, spiraling path, from the base, upward. Note the fall of the drapery; the hatching defines form and lends a sense of weight. What is its effect? Editor: I see that the lines create a sense of movement and depth. Do you see any symbolism in her lyre? Curator: Perhaps, but the formal elements supersede any overt symbolic reading. The lyre’s circular form echoes the figure’s head, reinforcing the unity of the composition. Did you notice the blank space around the figure? How does it affect the image? Editor: It makes the figure stand out, like a statue on display. I hadn't considered the importance of negative space before. Curator: Indeed, the figure's placement enhances its presence. Editor: Thanks, I'll definitely pay more attention to composition from now on.