Count Rogari Holding the Papal Tiara; verso: blank page 1805 - 1806

Curator: Jacques-Louis David's pencil sketch, "Count Rogari Holding the Papal Tiara," presents a figure in what looks like quiet contemplation. What strikes you initially? Editor: The composition seems almost diagrammatic, those faint grid lines disrupt any illusion. It speaks more of preparation than finished work, emphasizing process. Curator: Indeed. David's labor here becomes visible; the grid suggests a method, a calculated transfer perhaps. It’s intriguing how he juxtaposes the sacred object, the tiara, with such a pragmatic approach. Editor: And how does the status of the tiara intersect with its function? What materials and labor were involved in producing that object, and what social hierarchies are implicated? Curator: Good points. Perhaps this drawing is less about glorifying power and more about dissecting its visual representation, its materiality, within the broader context of production and display. Editor: It certainly adds a layer to our understanding of David's overall approach. Curator: A simple sketch opens complex avenues.