A True Patriot 

Editor: We’re looking at Charles Samuel Keene’s sketch, "A True Patriot," currently residing at the Tate. The cross-hatching creates a sense of depth, yet also flattens the figures. How do you read the composition in this piece? Curator: Note how the artist uses line to define form and space, almost independently of tone. The linear density creates a focal point around the woman and children, obscuring the background. It's an interesting interplay between representation and abstraction. Editor: So, the emphasis is more on the *how* than the *what*? Curator: Precisely. The subject matter is secondary to the visual language employed. Did you notice the artist's signature in the lower right corner? It is a testament to Keene's understanding of engraving. Editor: Fascinating. I'll definitely be looking at sketches with a different eye now. Curator: Indeed, the formal elements reveal a great deal about the artist's intention and skill.