Plate LXV 18th-19th century

Editor: So, here we have Jacques-Francois-Joseph Swebach's "Plate LXV," from, well, we're not sure when exactly. It's a pen and ink drawing of horses and... a little dog! The mood is surprisingly peaceful. What do you make of it? Curator: It strikes me as a dance—the horses, almost musical notes on a staff. The way they're arranged, each with a distinct posture, it’s like Swebach captured a fleeting moment, a breath held before movement resumes. See the little dog...is it the conductor? Editor: The conductor! That's a fun interpretation. So, it's not just a simple scene, but something more animated and alive? Curator: Precisely! Art often whispers secrets we didn't know we were ready to hear. What secrets did it whisper to you? Editor: I never thought about the dog being the conductor! It makes the drawing feel more special now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure, it's these shared moments of discovery that truly ignite the canvas!