Sketchbook page c. 1776

Curator: This is a sketchbook page by Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a fleeting impression, isn't it? That delicate wash creates an atmosphere of dreamy tranquility. Curator: Indeed. Saint-Aubin was known for capturing the spirit of Parisian life and leisure. He really found ways to represent the rise of public leisure space. Editor: And the trees framing the figures, almost like guardians of this peaceful scene, could symbolize protection and connection to nature. Curator: It also shows how the rising bourgeoisie was starting to interact with each other in a new way. Editor: The way the figures are placed, almost dissolving into the background, suggests the ephemeral nature of these social gatherings. Curator: It definitely gives us a glimpse into 18th-century Parisian life. Editor: A small window into a world of leisure and symbolic connection.