Study for ‘Don Quixote’: Sancho and the Duchess 1809

Editor: So, this is Thomas Stothard's study for ‘Don Quixote’: Sancho and the Duchess. It's a pen and ink drawing, quite small. I’m curious about the sketchiness, the visible process. What do you see in the creation of this piece? Curator: The visible process speaks volumes. Consider the labor involved, the artist’s hand directly shaping the narrative. Is Stothard elevating illustration to fine art, or acknowledging the commercial demands that shaped his practice? Editor: That's a really good question. Does it challenge our modern perceptions about the value of art, based on the labor involved? Curator: Absolutely. We should be aware of the economic context surrounding it. This challenges us to look at how art making becomes labor, and value gets attached. Editor: It is amazing how much you can learn looking at the means of production of a piece of art. Thanks for your insight! Curator: Indeed. Paying attention to the materials and processes reveals a great deal about the social and economic forces shaping artistic creation.